AUBURN — Dorothy Phyllis Parisi, 67, of Canton, passed away, with her family by her side, on Saturday, Dec. 17, after a very long, courageous fight with cancer. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

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Dorothy Parisi

She was born on May 6, 1944, the daughter of Louis and Leah Grimard Boulanger, and was raised and educated in Rumford. She married her husband, James, on Jan. 14, 1961, and together they raised their three children in Rumford. They briefly moved to Auburn, until they bought their dream home on Canton Lake 10 years ago. Together they enjoyed fixing up their home and having many gatherings with family and friends.

Phyllis enjoyed boating around the lake, watching and listening to the loons, kayaking and many other outdoor activities. She also loved working in her flowerbeds and spending time with her family and friends. In her earlier days, she enjoyed dancing, volleyball, waterskiing, snowmobiling and camping. She also loved many types of music, but her favorites were Celtic and fiddle music. She and her husband enjoyed taking the grandchildren to places like Santa's Village and Storybookland and watching their eyes light up with all the fantasies to see.

She worked at Boise Cascade for 10 years until she was diagnosed with cancer and then her recovery became her new job. She volunteered with the mentally challenged and also helped start a cancer support group in Rumford.

She began her fight with cancer in 1989 with a quest for medical knowledge and the need to surround herself with those that were the best in their field. She had some bumps in the road along the way, but for several years she was able to enjoy life with her family due to so many caring and gifted medical professionals who helped and supported her on this journey. She often spoke to and helped many cancer patients and their families, encouraging them to be their advocate and to learn and ask questions along the way. She held a special place in her heart for one of her specialists, Dr. Bove, who showed so much encouragement, empathy and compassion for her and her family.

She had many friendships, old and new, that she cherished, and she and her family are grateful for these friends sharing their lives, laughs, love and support over the years. She will be deeply missed by so many who loved and cared about her and knew her to be the tenacious and feisty woman that she was. To the world she was just another girl, but to us, she was the world.

She is survived by her husband of 50 plus years, James Parisi Sr. of Canton; daughter, Sandra Horne and her husband, Barry, of Gorham; and granddaughter, Kaleigh of Ohio; son, James Parisi Jr. and his partner, Kevin Cough, of Portland; son, Jeffrey Parisi and his wife, Sonia, of Auburn; and grandson, Antonio James "AJ"; her brother, Dennis Boulanger and his wife, Lucienne "Cookie" of Meredith N.H.

She was predeceased by her father, Louis Boulanger, and mother, Leah Boulanger of Rumford; and her brother, Gerard Boulanger of Rumford.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Hospice House for their care and compassion during Phyllis' stay. You are a wonderful and special group of people who help so many.

Condolences may be expressed at Funeralalternatives.net.