She was born Dec. 31, 1931, to the late Widgery and Zella Bridge Thomas in Portland. Zella was the beloved wife of Edward Dewey. She attended the Waynflete School and Bryn Mawr College. After graduating, she lived in the metropolitan Boston area for more than 40 years where she worked in retail, and as a teacher, receptionist and travel agent. In between, she was loving mother to Mary Lou, Caroline and Tom.
Throughout her life, she contributed selflessly to her community. She was an active member of the Chilton Club, the Junior League of Boston and the Shakespeare Club of Weston. She volunteered for the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary and served many roles, including president. Upon arrival in Lincoln she spent innumerable hours supporting St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church as a Sunday school teacher, vestry member, Junior Warden and Senior Warden.
In 1993, she retired to Bailey Island. Always seeking new ways to give, she filled her days with volunteer commitments, including the Colonial Dames of Maine, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Maine Maritime Museum and The Mingo Club. Her happiest moments were those spent with family and friends, sailing on Casco Bay, and giving to her community. She is survived by her husband, Ned; her children, Mary Lou and Kevin Fitzgerald of Massachusetts, Caroline Dewey of Rhode Island, and Tom Dewey and Terry Quan of California; six grandchildren; her brother, Widgery Thomas Jr.; and her sister, Mary Louise and Phineas Sprague.
A memorial will be held in celebration of her life at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m.
Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home in Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 195, Brunswick, ME 04011; or Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department, P.O. Box 177, Orr’s Island, ME 04066.
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