WILTON — Dorothy Dakin passed from this life at 6:15 a.m. on Aug. 15, quietly from cancer at her home surrounded by her family in Wilton.

Her life began on Severy Hill on Sept. 27, 1917, on the family farm. Being the first daugther, she was somewhat pampered and took control of her three older brothers, and later the other siblings. She became the babysitter, mother’s helper and general farmhand for her father. She attended the one-room schoolhouse until she went to Dixfield High School and was a favorite with all her classmates and teachers throughout her school years. She earned awards in English, French, penmanship, deportment and others as a result of her scholastic abilities.

She met her husband Milton Dakin and their love maintined their married life for 63 years when he died of cancer. They began their married life on High Street in Wilton and had two children while there, Joanne and Kenneth; and moved to live in a farmhouse in East Dixfield, where they added two more children to their family, Gerald and Beverly.

They were a close and loving family celebrating many of life’s events there; and going for long Sunday drives and attending Friday or Saturday night movies which Dorothy loved to do with her own family and with the rest of the Coolidge and Dakin families. She loved to swim, cookouts, camping, berry picking, quiet times reading, people, fairs, and doing anything with family.

She had a working ethic that she learned as a child that she maintained in her homes and later as she went to work in the shoe companies of Livermore, Famrington and finally Bass Shoes from which she retired. The family moved to Wilton to be closer to work and established their home on what was the Old Jay Road, Holmes Street, where she lived from 1956 until her passing. She was forever praised by her employers for her exemplary work and was a favorite of all her co-workers.

To know her was to love her. She had a warm and inviting smile that came from her heart to all she met. Everything about her was genuine and there was no falseness or pretense, what you saw and heard was authentic.

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She was everyone’s favorite sister, mother, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother and friend. She was sought out for advise because she was a patient and understanding listener who was a lady of wisdom.

She never judged anyone, although she may not approve of what you did. She was forever supportive and positive in life. No sacrifice was too great for her whole extended family, or her friends. Never complaining always accepting life on its terms. Suffering in silence whatever happened to her. Always willing to forgive and understand, never wanting to be a burden to others.

She was a humble lady who had wonderful abilities but never saw herself as superior to anyone. Courageous and willing to do what was needed in all things. A loving, caring and generous nature who loved to laugh and smile and enjoy life. She loved country music and went to concerts and dances until just before her death. She was an avid reader and loved her TV shows, her yard, her house and most of all her family.

She was a remarkable lady who had the strength for all that was needed and more. A beloved grandmother who became a mother to them all as well.

She is survived by her daughters, Joanne and her husband, Elmore Ouellette, from Georgetown, S.C., and Beverly Oliver and her husband, Dennis Oliver, of Wilton; her son, the Rev. Kenneth Dakin of Hondo, Texas; her brother, Richard Coolidge; sister, Jeanne Brann; sister-in-law, Mildred Coolidge; her grandchildren, Jeanne and her husband, Robert Greene, Julie and her husband, Bruce Smith, David Williams, Jerry Williams and his wife, Donna, Dede and her husband, Steve Brown, Todd Oliver and Amy Oliver; nine great-gandchildren; one great-great-grandaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Alma Coolidge; her husband, Milton; her son, Gerald (Jerry); her brothers, Lester, Chester, John, Kenneth and Clinton Cooldige; and her sisters, Mary Collins and Beatrice Hanson.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Dorothy’s family at www.wilesrc.com.


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