YARMOUTH — Dorothy M. Gauvreau, 87, died on June 1, at Bay Square of Yarmouth, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 20, 1923, the daughter of C. Kenneth Daniels and Grace M. Linaker, she attended various schools in Indianapolis, Ind., Norfolk, Nebraska and Beverly Hills, Calif.

A stately beauty, she was employed at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, Calif., when she met the love of her life, Lt. Norman Gauvreau, at an officer’s ball. Shortly thereafter they married, after which Lt. Gauvreau joined the war effort in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, she and her husband began raising their family, first in Burlington, Vt. and the Greater Boston area and then in Lewiston, where Dr. Gauvreau established his medical practice.

During her 64 years of marriage, she was a source of extraordinary support for her husband. They spent many summers in Boothbay Harbor, piloting their beloved Ebb Tide up and down the Maine coast.

She was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, co-piloted aircraft, took up scuba diving, golf and skiing, and even learned to ride a motorcycle while in her 60s. She became an expert bridge player, frequently competing in tournaments throughout Maine. She spent many winters at the family vacation home in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, where she tried her hand at fishing, scuba diving and island exploring, always demonstrating a keen touch as her husband’s first mate. An extraordinary cook, she kept her growing family well nourished and mastered an endless assortment of favorite desserts for her husband, including her delectable Key lime pie.

Blessed with a keen business sense, she managed not only her husband’s medical practice, but also their residential properties in Maine and the Bahamas. She helped organize her husband’s mayoral campaign in Lewiston and worked tirelessly in support of the family friend, James Longley, in his successful gubernatorial campaign.

Her life was characterized by two defining characteristics: her graciousness and versatility. She volunteered in a variety of community programs, ranging from the March of Dimes and Parent/Teacher Association to her tireless work on behalf of the Patronesses of St. Mary’s Hospital. She was unfailingly respectful to all and exhibited a lifelong sense of poise and purpose.

She had a special place in her heart for her children and grandchildren, always spending time with them and taking an avid interest in their varied activities. Every summer she would host the Gauvreau family picnic, showering her family with an endless array of extraordinary food and hand-sewn clothing.

A proud, independent spirit, she took great pride in the accomplishments of her family. She etched her strong values of integrity, empathy, respect, independence and honor in her children and grandchildren, who were blessed to share in the provenance of this extraordinary woman.

She is survived by a son, Dr. Douglas K. Gauvreau and his wife, Andrea Gauvreau, of Falmouth; a son, Paul Gauvreau and his wife, Evelyn Greenlaw, of Lewiston; a son, Kenneth Daniel Gauvreau and his wife, Robin Gauvreau, of Putney, Vt.; a daughter, Gayle Martha Gauvreau of Portland; and her beloved grandchildren, Daniel Gauvreau, Becky Walker, Sarah Gavreau Kuzniar, Jessica Lynn Gauvreau, Robin Gauvreau, Johanna Louise Gauvreau and Elise Gauvreau.

She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Daniels, of Houston, Texas; and her husband, Dr. Norman O. Gauvreau.

The family is especially appreciative of the loving care and support Dorothy received from the staff of Bay Square of Yarmouth and Beacon Hospice, many of whom grew very fond of her. The compassion and respect which the staff provided her will always be remembered.