WEST GARDINER — Dorothy L. Benson, 97, of West Gardiner, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, after a brief illness.

She was born in Litchfield on April 26, 1914, daughter of Joseph and Eva Glavin Stevens, and was a 1933 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn.

As a young adult she was employed at several shoe shops in the Gardiner area. For over 30 years Dot and her husband, Carroll, owned and operated a dairy farm in West Gardiner.

Cooking was her passion and she catered many functions put on by the Gardiner Kiwanis and the Lions Clubs, of which she was an honorary member. For many years she cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the elderly at the Cotton Mill complex in Hallowell and loved to chaperon the Blind Bowlers on their field trips. Her relaxation was found at the family camp, where she enjoyed daily walks along the winding camp road naming each wildflower as she went by.

Dorothy is predeceased by husband Carroll E. Benson; son, Leonard C. Benson; and stepdaughter, Nancy J. Larrabee.

She is survived by her son, Gary E. Benson and his wife, Ann of West Gardiner; two grandsons, Shad E. Benson and wife, Shirley of Belgrade and Michael P. MacLean and wife, Rebecca of South Portland; four great-grandchildren, Cambell, Bradyn, John and Eva; one niece, Louise Welch of Rhode Island; and step-grandchildren, Gary Larrabee of West Gardiner, Timothy Larrabee of West Gardiner and Linda Cooley of New Hampshire.