Dorothy Jean (McFarland) Bickford

Casco – Dorothy Jean (McFarland) Bickford passed away peacefully with her children by her side on May 30, 2025, at Gosnell Hospice in Scarborough Maine at the age of 97 ½.

She was born on August 30, 1927, to Marie Philomena (Twomey) and John McFarland, in Portland Maine.

As a child she was full of energy, even breaking her arm after jumping on the bed with her brother, John. By the time she reached 12 years of age she was told she must start acting like a proper lady so to her dismay she had to settle down. She blossomed into a beautiful teenager. Her and her sister Lorriane would go down to Commercial Street in Portland to meet the US Navy Sailors that came into port during the end of World War II. They were on a list of young ladies invited to attend the dances for the sailors.

When she was 16, she was in OOB enjoying the beach with her friends when she was approached by a handsome lad named Lenny (who was 15). He followed her all around the beach that day. Little did she know that this was her future husband!

She graduated from Portland High School Class of 1946. Her mother had a stroke that same year and Dottie committed her life to caring for her. She said it was the most wonderful thing she had ever done. She spent some time with her sister in Connecticut to help her with her new baby but returned to being with her mother until she passed away in 1954.

Dorothy attended church daily and was very active in the Legion of Mary, working with teens in bible study and religious education. In 1956 she married Leonard E. Bickford. She worked at Home Stickney in Portland. They bought their first house on Jasper Street in Pine Point and started their family. Leonard Jr was born in January 1961, and Diane was born in November 1961. Needless to say, this was now her full-time job. In 1964 their third child Lynn Marie was born so they decided to move to South Portland to a bigger house. Thomas was born in 1966. In the early 70s they opened Black Point Variety in Scarborough. This kept them very busy: raising 4 children, running a variety store, and Lenny was working at the US Postal Service full-time. They still made time to attend their children’s sporting events.

They bought a camp at Shaw Acres on Sebago Lake where they would spend time in the summers. As the children got older Dorothy and Lenny decided to sell that camp and buy one in Casco ME. They eventually tore the camp down and built a new house. They spent their retirement years in Casco swimming, boating, walking the trails at the Sebago Lake State Park, traveling to Florida and Southwest Harbor with Johnny and Barbara, and attending plays. They spent every free moment with their first grandchild, Tyler. Then Madison came along, and they devoted their time to her as well. Their youngest grandchild, Isabelle, was born when they were in their late 70s, but they made sure to attend her school events. Dorothy was so happy that she got to see Izzy grow up.

In 2016 Dorthy lost her youngest child, Tommy, and in 2017 she lost her husband, Lenny. Her faith and her optimistic personality helped her through this. She learned how to write checks, pay her own bills, and maintain her own home. She was so excited when Tyler married Christa. Her two great grandchildren, Silas and Thea (named after Dorothy), were the apples of her eye. She was so amazed by them. Tyler and Christa made sure that Great Grammy saw them often whether through visits, pictures, or facetime.

At the age of 96 she took a spill, and the doctors recommended that she not live alone anymore. She went to live with Lynn Marie and Dennis. She wanted to contribute so she did the evening dishes while singing “hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go.” She exercised each day, said the rosary each day, loved to sit out on the porch in the sun, and was always, always a pleasure to be around. She prayed every day.

She was predeceased by her son, Thomas; husband, Leonard Sr; sister, Lorraine Dow (Ralph); brother, John McFarland (Barbara); and brother, David McFarland. She is also predeceased by her sister-in-Law, Kathy Jacques; brothers in law, Arthur (Laurie) Bickford and James Bickford.

She is survived by her children, Leonard Jr., Diane, Lynn Marie (Dennis); grandchildren, Tyler (Christa), Madison (Matt), Izabelle; great grandchildren, Silas and Thea; sister-in-law, Gardy Bodge; brothers in law, Calvin (Zee) and John (Debi); and many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the wonderful care she received. They were simply wonderful. Thank you to John O’Brien, Fred Miller, and Father Lou from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Windham for all that you did for her. Your kindness and prayers meant the world to her.

Thank you to Phil and Chelsea for taking such great care of her house. She loved you two.

Thank you to Dr. Wadland and his staff at Martin’s Point for returning our calls promptly. You always treated her with respect and dignity. Thank you to Dr. Maisak and his staff at Portland Foot and Ankle. She always had a great experience with you all. Thank you to the Walmart Pharmacy in Windham for being so kind and taking the time to explain things to us. Thank you to Dr. Vaughan, Andrea, and staff for taking such good care of Mom’s oral hygiene.

Thank you to Pam Hartig-Blake, Mom’s hairdresser at Ultimate Hair. You did a fabulous job with her hair. You never flinched when we had to cancel or reschedule appointments. You went above and beyond with your kindness and patience. You provided a wheelchair to her. You offered so many things. You are one of a kind.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 11am-1pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway. A 10am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.