BRIDGTON – Dorothea Jean Crook Thomas died Dec. 29, 2007 at her home, surrounded by her family, after an extremely courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Bridgton on July 29, 1937, the daughter of William and Althea Smith Crook. She resided in Bridgton until 1953, moved to Norton, Ohio, where she graduated from Norton High School in 1955. She attended Mount Ida Junior College, Newton Center, Mass., prior to joining the U.S. Air Force with childhood friend Judy McAllister. She served several years as a communications center specialist. While in the service, she married, had a son and moved to England for three years.

In 1967, she married David Thomas and they resided in Westbrook. She worked for 11 years at the Barron Center as a certified nursing assistant. In 1980, she and her husband moved back to Bridgton after purchasing the old Chesley Edson farm on Highland Ridge. With the help of her father and friends, Barbara and Philip Autio, they restored the old homestead, which they call the Bonnie Highland Farm. It was there that they raised sheep and she operated her antiques shop, Pieces of the Past.

She also attained an associates brokers license in 1985, and joined Sebago Lake Realty. Later she became licensed as a medical assistant while working at Hicks Assisted Living Center. She has been a life long member of the Maine Old Cemetery Association and an avid genealogist.

Her family was everything to her and caring for them in their final years was a gift that she shared with many. The most profound example of her giving was her commitment to her elderly aunt, Fern Yates. In the 1980s, she brought Fern into her home and became her full-time sole caregiver for the next eight years. She also helped care for her mother, father and brother, at their home, in their final days. She unselfishly put her family and others before herself.

She loved animals and over the years took in several unwanted dogs and always seemed to have room for “just one more.” For the past three years, she has been a faithful volunteer at the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg.

She is survived by her husband, David of Bridgton; son, Jeffrey Adair of Hiram; a sister, Betty Horton of Bridgton; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and her best friend of 65 years, Barbara Autio of Bridgton.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brother, William M. Crook Jr.