Dorothy Marie Hunter

1922 - 2023

Dorothy Marie Hoffmann Hunter of Auburn, Maine, formerly of Monmouth, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2023, at her home at Schooner Estates. She was born November 22, 1922 in Lewiston, Maine, the daughter of Henry and Marie Sparsam Hoffmann.

Dorothy attended Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1940 and from Auburn Maine School of Commerce in 1943. She began her career teaching business courses at Sebago Lake High School and Edward Little High School. During World War II she served as a nurse’s aide at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.

On October 15, 1945, Dorothy married the love of her life Thomas Hunter at the Federated Church in Lewiston. They lived in Hallowell and began raising their family as children Constance and Thomas were born. They soon moved to Auburn and welcomed a third child William.

Dorothy then decided to continue her education and received a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Maine in 1971. She found her true calling when she accepted a position at East Auburn Elementary and C.P. Wight schools to teach third and fourth grades. She loved teaching and enjoyed her students immensely. She would often reward them with a piece of chewing gum once their work was completed. As a dedicated member of her community, Dorothy served in many organizations including the Helen Hughes Club of the YWCA, Mount Olivet Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Queen of Arab Temple Daughters of the Nile, President of Cumston Public Library Association, Secretary of Monmouth Historical Society, member of First Friday Club of Monmouth and Secretary of Androscoggin Retired Teachers Association. She was also a volunteer with: Girl Scouts as a leader, Cottrell Taylor Christmas Bake, Monmouth Museum, Vestry Thrift Store in Monmouth, Corporator of CMMC in Lewiston, and Kora Widows Club. Dorothy continued her church affiliations: First Congregational Church of Hallowell, Federated Church of Lewiston, High Street Congregational Church of Auburn, United Church of Monmouth serving as Treasurer for a number of years, Secretary of Congregational Society of the United Church of Monmouth, and President and Secretary of United Church Women’s Society.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, teacher and friend, Dorothy was dearly loved by many. Above all she enjoyed and cherished her time with family at the many holiday gatherings, lobster cookouts at camp, family reunions, and welcoming grandchildren and great grandchildren to the family. She was a steady influence as she devoted herself to her family and was always calm and steadfast. She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband Tom. She was thrilled as they started a new chapter in their retirement when they purchased a camp at Cochnewagon Lake and renovated it for their year-round home and center of family activities. She loved sitting by the lake and reading or just relaxing and enjoying the view. In her spare time, she enjoyed making jigsaw puzzles, crossword and word puzzles, crocheting, knitting, needlepointing, making ornaments for craft fairs, and attending coffee klatch with her friends. She enjoyed game shows on TV and loved to play games – she always wanted to win! In time, she and Tom would move to Schooner Estates in Auburn, where they enjoyed the community of friends, new and old, and where they would settle into a quiet life. Dorothy continued to live there after Tom’s passing in November of 2011.

Dorothy was very proud of reaching her goal and celebrating her 100th birthday in November and she was happy to have family and friends join in her celebration. She read and enjoyed the many cards, gifts, good wishes, and memories from all, especially those of her former students.

The family would like to thank the staff at Schooner Estates for their dedicated service and care for Dorothy during her time there.

Surviving are her sons: Thomas Hunter Jr. and soulmate Glenys Michaud, William Hunter and wife Carmen; son-in-law: Francis Ayotte; grandchildren: Christopher Ayotte, Jennifer Hunter, Thomas Hunter III and wife Erica, Audrey McAnany and husband Adam, Jessica Hunter-Congdon and husband Michael, and Kevin Hunter; great grandchildren: Peter Ayotte, Anna Hagan, Kayden and Jack Hutchins, Grace and Cole Hunter, Erin McAnany, Emily and Ethan House, Beckham and Remi Hunter; great-great grandchild: Jade Hagan; sister-in-law: Elsie Hunter.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Thomas, her daughter Constance Ayotte, and her sister Beverly Stephens.

Visitation The Fortin Group / AUBURN Tues. Jan. 31st from 10-11 AM followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 11 AM. Committal Service to follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park.

If desired, donations may be made to the Thomas Hunter Scholarship Fund, c/o Ashlar Lodge, P. O. Box 2402, Lewiston, ME 04241-2402.

To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingroupauburn.com

A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St. AUBURN, 783-8545