DIXFIELD – Dorothy Louise LaPrell, 75, fought an unbelievably courageous battle against various cancers that began in 2003 and ended at her home in Dixfield on April 6, with her loving family by her side. She found great comfort knowing she would join her precious daughters, Renee Marie “Nee-Nee,” and her first born, “Baby Dolloff,” as well as her beloved husband, Eldon “Bill” Dolloff, in Heaven.

She was born on Dec. 7, 1931, the daughter of J. Willis “Bucky” and Vilda (Hawkes) Dunham.

She graduated from Dixfield High School in 1950. Her children were told by many that she not only had brains, but also beauty. She won the “Miss Apple Blossom Queen” contest.

One week after graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Eldon Guy “Bill” Dolloff. In 1957, Bill died tragically in a workplace accident, two months prior to the birth of their third child. He left behind a devastated wife who never stopped loving or missing him; a son, Gary; daughter, Sherry; and his unborn son, Dennis Eldon.

She married Warren Henry LaPrell in 1961. They had five children together and divorced in 1971.

The charities that benefited from Dorothy’s generosity are way too numerous to list. She was the first to offer a helping hand and did so without the need to be recognized. She also had unconditional love and support for her children and grandchildren.

Her most precious memories are of spending time with her family. She attended the Pinpoint of Light Church, where she will be sadly missed by those that came to know and love her there.

She was an extremely hard worker and was known for her scrumptious cooking at Dixfield Restaurants.

However, she found her true calling more than twenty years ago at O.C.A.R.C., where she took care of mentally challenged adults. Her naturally giving nature made her love them all, and they, her. She retired due to cancer in 2003. She continued to visit when she was well enough.

Dorothy’s mantras that taught others so well were: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” “Honesty is always the best policy,” and “Cry and you cry alone, laugh and the world laughs with you.” She kept her positive attitude until the very end. She never lamented “why me?” but told all “it could be worse.” She continued to be beautiful to the end of this life, inside and out.

She didn’t want a funeral with a bunch of sappy tears, she wanted a celebration with happy tears.

Survivors include two daughters, Laurie Xanthos and her husband, Arthur, of Dixfield, and Sherry Morris of Turner; five sons, Gary LaPrell and his wife, Tina, of Auburn, Dennis LaPrell of Lewiston, Warren LaPrell and his fiancée, Roni, of Palmyra, Darryl LaPrell and his wife, Debbie, of Dixfield, and Kris LaPrell of Mexico; two sisters, Noreen Gaudet of Albuquerque, N.M., and Maxine Brown of Peru; two brothers, Willis Dunham of Florida and Robert Dunham of Dixfield; many grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by “Baby Dolloff,” and her daughter, Renee; a grandson, Derek; two brothers, Robert and Fred; a sister, Joyce; and a son-in-law, Allen Morris.