Dot Boothby

Dorothea "Dot" Irene (Bickford) Boothby, a longtime resident of Springvale, passed away on August 21, 2010 in Sanford. Dot was born in Shapleigh on December 12, 1921, the last surviving child of eight children born of Frank and Florence (Seavey) Bickford.Dot attended Shapleigh Elementary School and graduated from Sanford High School in the class of 1940. She attended her 70th class reunion this summer. While in high school, Dot was involved in field hockey and basketball and loved to ice skate. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for a local car dealership. During World War II, she held several jobs in the Sanford area but still found time to meet her then-fiance Hilliard "Slim" Boothby in various locations in the U.S. while he served in the US Navy. She never let a week go by without sending him a care package. Dot and Slim were married in Cornish on February 20, 1942, and celebrated 65 years of marriage together. They enjoyed cheering on the Sanford sports teams together, particularly when their son Bob was in school. They were also both avid New York Yankees fans, which often resulted in lively conversations with their friends. They enjoyed traveling and drove across the country in retirement. Other special trips included Bermuda and Hawaii.Dot held several jobs locally and worked as a volunteer throughout the community. She was a proud member of the Pleasant Street Free Baptist Church and the Order of Eastern Star. One of the biggest joys of her life was planning and attending gatherings with friends and family, particularly around the Christmas holidays.Dot spent most of her adult life as a resident of Springvale. She and Hilliard lived at 12 Allen Street and later at 1 Lucerne Street. She resided at Mayflower Assisted Living in Sanford for the past four years where she enjoyed the other residents and staff. She recently attended a Senior Prom at the Mayflower. Dot had a fondness for animals and had a special bond with her cat Smoo who accompanied her from Lucerne Street to the Mayflower.Dot was predeceased by her husband Hilliard "Slim" Boothby on March 16, 2007 and by her seven siblings: Helen Moody, Gladys Topham, Eleanor Riopel, Marion Walmsley, Ruth Rankin, Inez Bickford and Roswell Bickford. She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and many friends.She is survived by her son, Robert M. Boothby and his wife Kaye of Kennebunk, her granddaughter, Lynn Boothby, her husband Chris Darling and their son Jack Boothby Darling, all of Rumford, sisters-in-law Ruth Boothby of Shapleigh, Jessiell Newman and Barbara Price, both of Florida, brother-in-law Dan Boothby of South Parsonsfield, many dear nieces, nephews and friends.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, where a funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Dennis Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Springvale.The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the Mayflower and Beacon Hospice for all of the excellent care that Dot received.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Pleasant Street Free Baptist Church, 10 Pleasant Street, Springvale, ME 04083.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.