RUMFORD – Dolores G. Montgomery, 82, of Erchles Street, Rumford, went to be with her Lord Thursday, Dec. 21, surrounded by her loving family at the Rumford Community Home.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1924, in Mexico, daughter of Cezime and Olivette (Bourgoine) Bernard, and graduated from Mexico High School, Class of 1942.

She was employed at Oxford Paper Co. during World War II, followed by several years for New England Telephone Co. as a switchboard operator.

She was a communicant of St. Athanasius-St. John Church; past chairwoman of the local March of Dimes chapter; member of St. Theresa’s, then St. Athanasius-St. John Church choirs; soloist at many area weddings; past Brownie and Girl Scouts leader; and also a member of the Saint Andrews Society.

She will be remembered for her deep love of family. She was an outstanding cook, and was happiest when her family was around her table, as she encouraged people to “eat your usual!”

She was an avid reader and never ceased to amaze her children with her ability to beat them all at Trivial Pursuit. She cherished the animals in her life, and over the years, had many beloved dogs and cats. She was never more at peace than when in the Maine woods, whether fishing with her husband or teaching her children the names of wildflowers.

A woman of deep faith, she accepted the cycles of life and death with a firm belief we will all be together again. She shared her faith with her children, this being the greatest gift she bestowed upon them. While traveling the back roads she loved so well, she would often say “Thank you, Lord, for giving us such a beautiful world!”

She was married in Mexico, on Jan. 15, 1947, to the late David Lees Montgomery who died in Lewiston, on Sept. 14, 1982.

Survivors include four daughters, Michele Huston of Peru, Marsha McCoy of Shrub Oak, N.Y., Melissa Thorp of Rochester, N.H., and Melinda Worthley, and husband, David, of Roxbury; a son, Matthew Montgomery of Rumford; five grandchildren, Jason Huston, and wife, Marla, Jeremy Huston, and wife, April, Jerrod Huston, Morgan McCoy and Jocelyn Nadeau; two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; two brothers, Eugene Bernard, and wife, Clarise, of Topsham and Robert Bernard, and wife, Gloria, of Roxbury; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Montgomery of Rumford.

She was predeceased by her husband; parents; and her siblings, Jacqueline Giroux and Bertrand Bernard.