Dorothy Kelley

WINDHAM — Dorothy R. Kelley, 83, died on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Portland.

She was born on Oct. 29, 1932, in Portland, the daughter of John J. and Isabella (Taylor) Murphy. Dorothy was raised in Portland and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1950.

As a young woman, she worked for a number of Portland businesses. Dot met her husband, Merle, while working at Calderwood Bakery. They fell in love, married, and moved to the country, “Windham,” in 1957. In between having and raising seven children, she volunteered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Windham, which led to a full-time position as secretary to Sr. Carmel, Religious Education coordinator. Dorothy went back to work full-time at the University of Southern Maine as a secretary for the teacher education program until her retirement.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling with her husband in their camper; highlights include trips to Alaska, Montana and California. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed reading. When Merle retired, together they spent three months driving cross-country to Alaska.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her brothers Philip, Peter, Mike and Ralph Murphy; and her sisters Gertrude Grady, Alice Kennedy, Anna Kelley, Isabelle Dykeman and Eleanor Doherty.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Merle Kelley; children Stephen Kelley of Raymond, Susan Kelley of Gorham, Sandra Kelley of Byron, Ill., Timothy Kelley of Westbrook, Kathleen Kelley-Cochrane of Raymond, Kevin Kelley of Bangor and Alice Kelley of Windham; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 28, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com