It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy Claire (Wentzell) McEvoy, 79, of Brunswick, Maine and Lunenburg, announces her peaceful passing on Victoria Day, Monday, May 23, 2022. Born and raised in Lunenburg, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Capt. Josiah (Joe) and Ruth (Reinhardt) Wentzell.
Dorothy was a proud alumna of the Lunenburg Academy and she remained lifelong friends with her fellow 1961 classmates. She often spoke with fondness and laughter about getting into mischief for talking too much while in class, her fear of the Academy’s supposed ghost in the basement, and the extra-long walks to and from school in hopes of avoiding the neighborhood boys who would ambush the girls with snowballs. After graduation, Dorothy attended the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing in Halifax. Soon after, she began her nursing career in Maine at Bath Regional Hospital.
In 1966, Dorothy married George McEvoy of Grafton, MA, and they settled in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She became involved in various opportunities and was instrumental in starting Meals on Wheels delivery in that area. In 1969 they welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth, and Dorothy focused her attention on motherhood. Although Dorothy and George parted ways, they remained close friends and were an excellent example of what the definition of family can truly be.
After moving to Brunswick, Maine in 1974, Dorothy became the office nurse for Dr. David Schall and Dr. Peter McGuire in their family practice. Choosing to broaden her medical education, she attended the University of Southern Maine where she received her BA in Social Work. After graduation, she began her 25 year career as Parkview Hospital’s Director of Social Services. This profession was a perfect fit for Dorothy’s astute attention to detail and her ability to work well with both staff, patients and their families. One year, she was one of three professionals nominated for the State of Maine Social Worker of the Year award. She loved being a part of the Parkview employee family.
Upon her retirement, Dorothy continued to be a devoted mother and grandmother, and could often be found making homemade baby blankets and Halloween costumes, not to mention many wonderful meals. She enjoyed traveling, shopping at TJ Maxx, following news about the Royal family, and reading.
Her heart never strayed from her hometown of Lunenburg and she spent part of each year in her childhood home, sleeping in the same bedroom that she was born in. In her later years, she was able to live there from Spring to Fall, where she enjoyed visiting with cherished friends, swimming at Hirtle’s Beach and enjoying everything Nova Scotia had to offer. Many knew her by her Maine license plate, “BLUNOSE”. She was very proud to be Canadian.
Dorothy spent the past five years battling Alzheimer’s Disease and while this illness took many things from her, Dorothy remained able to recognize her family through the end of her life. She retained her wonderful sense of humor and ability to brighten any room with her effervescent personality, even when she couldn’t find the words to elaborate her meaning.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Jay) Henderson, Florida and grandchildren, Josiah, Madeline, and Lila; nieces, Christine Wentzell and Rebecca (Shane) Reagh and their children; her former husband, George McEvoy, as well as the “bonus” family that followed their marriage. She also leaves behind many adoring friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, James Wentzell, as well as friend/sister-in-law, Sue Wentzell (Kentville).
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. A graveside committal service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Shepherd’s Hill Cemetery, Riverport, followed by a gathering for family and friends to celebrate Dorothy’s life from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Bluenose Lodge, Lunenburg.
In lieu of flowers those desiring may make memorial donations in Dorothy’s memory to the Lunenburg Academy Foundation by using the following link;
www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/72308
Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dorothy Claire McEvoy Wentzell Monday May 23rd 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Lunenburg, Province: Nova Scotia