PORTLAND — Dorothy Louise Cleaves Hirvela, 86, of Portland, died Feb. 12 in Orono, with her family by her side.

The daughter of George and Louise Prince Cleaves, she graduated from Falmouth High School and attended Northeastern Business College. Later, she worked at American Can Co. and Standard Linen Service, and ran Dot’s Daycare out of her Falmouth home.

Hirvela loved the years she spent caring for children, watching them grow into young adults. She cared for her own grandchildren as well as their friends and others, and worked tirelessly to plan activities and to create a fun, safe environment.

After her retirement, she greatly enjoyed her years at Northfield Green in Portland with many wonderful friends around her.

Hirvela participated actively in the Falmouth Grange and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in Portland. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, garage sales, church suppers and Christmas fairs, but most of all she enjoyed being with her family.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Leroy Hirvela, grandson Josh Crowley, sister Caroline Dorney and nephew Patrick Dorney.

She is survived by her daughter Linda and husband, Michael Dunn, of Bangor; grandsons Richard Crowley III and Andrew Dunn; sister Bernice Cleaves; nieces Patricia Wilson, Corinne Brown, Cathy Dorney-Bron and Carol Dorney; nephew John Dorney; and special friends Ellen Bessey, Gail Desrochers, and Beth and Jim King and their family.

Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Ave., Portland, followed by a reception at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the church.

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