SOUTH PARIS – Amy Erlene Dunham, 88, of Wilton went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Maine Veterans Home.
She was born on Christmas day in 1919, the third daughter of Erle Elias and Lena Betrece (Lord) Dunham of Phillips. As a youngster, she lived in Pittsfield, Mass., returning to Maine during the depression. She was further educated at Wilton Academy and at Phillips High School.
In 1937 she married Kendall Whittemore Dunham of Rangeley. He passed away in l987, shortly after they celebrated 50 years of marriage. She was a homemaker, cooked during spring ice-out at Oquossoc Angling Association and in various lumber camps, worked in area wood turning mills. After living in Rangeley, the family moved to New Vineyard where they resided for 40 years before moving to Wilton in 1981.
She enjoyed fishing, snowshoeing, playing cards, special family Sunday dinners and reunions, crossword puzzles, reading, music, genealogy work, and collecting coins. Her family and friends enjoyed her wonderful cooking!
Survivors include her three daughters, Jacquelyn and Stephen Swain of Rangeley; Glendalyn and Richard Hargreaves of New Vineyard; Kendalyn and John Ranger of Jay. Also, her grandchildren, Marshall Swain and his fiancée Rebecca Kurtz of Phillips and his daughter, Summer Swain Shanz and Matt of Eustis; Sherwood and Tanya Swain and children, Savannah and Sophie Swain of Industry and Jessica Swain Gray and Ryan of Howland; Shaun and Beth Swain of Madison and son, Jonathan of Colorado; Shepard and Doreen Swain and children, Marissa of New Vineyard and Matthew and Benjamin and his wife, Kristen of Virginia; Stephen Hargreaves of Windham; Paul and Laurie Hargreaves and children, Kyle and Meghan of Raymond; James and Rachelle Hargreaves and Emma of Old Town; Yates and Cheri Kennedy and Elizabeth of Casco; John and Tammy Ranger and Danielle of Dixfield; and her only granddaughter, CareyAnn Kennedy and son, Alex of Jay. Also, one brother, Joseph Dunham and Clarice of Dixfield; and a sister-in-law, Yvonne Dunham of Chisolm.
She was predeceased by her parents and by three sisters, Reta Brockway, Elvie Toothaker, and Ruby Spooner; and her brother, James Dunham.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks for the extraordinary care given to her at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris and also at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.
Visitation will be held at the Farmington Baptist Church one hour previous to the Funeral from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, the ceremony will follow at 11 a.m. with grandson, and elder of the church, Shepard Swain officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley at 2 p.m.
Donations may be made in her memory to Childs Hope International 11 Chapman Ridge Rd. Athens, ME 04921, or to the Iris Foundation 189 Park Ave. Portland, ME 04102. Arrangements are under the directions of the Adams~McFarlane Funeral and Cremation Svc. 108 Court St. Farmington, ME 04938
