OXFORD — Erdene F. (Dene) Tibbetts Dearborn, 66, of Varney Lane in Oxford went home to be with her savior, in his promised heavenly home on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Erdene was born in Thorndike, Oct.5, 1944. She lived in several places growing up and attended many school systems because her dad worked as a sawyer and followed the work.

At the age of 16, she married, raised three sons, and resided in Center Conway, N.H., until 1975, when she moved to the town of Princeton.

In the late 1960s, Erdene won a demolition derby, with her purse in her lap, at the famed Oxford Plains Speedway. Erdene was a spit fire of a woman, she single-handedly fired the town manager and chief of police in Princeton and did away with both political systems. In the late 1970s, she worked selling b-line women’s clothes and recruiting other sales women, she worked diligently and earned a 5 minute shopping spree at a local grocery store, with that endeavor she racked up $1,100. worth of groceries for her family.

Erdene had a love for family and was a constant fixture to her parents until their passing. Erdene enjoyed quilting, knitting, and fine glassware. She provided warm hats and mittens for children who had little to none, and baby sweaters, hats, and booties to area newborn babies. Erdene made quilts for her children, grandchildren and family members and has had her quilts bless servicemen in Germany.

Later in life, Erdene drove school bus for Laidlaw Bus Services in Calais, taking children back and forth to school in the Princeton Area. Relocating to the Oxford Hills area in recent years, she drove bus for Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls. She was a tough and firm bus driver who adored all who rode on her bus. One of her loved hobbies was yard sales and the area thrift shops. She prided herself in finding pants for her boys and that elusive skein of yarn.

She loved animals and will be missed by two special cats, Mikey T. and SassyWoo.

To her immediate family, Erdene was best known for Thanksgiving Dinner, especially her breads and pies (which she made upwards of 14 all from scratch). Thanksgiving will never taste the same.

Erdene is survived by her five sons, Plum and wife, Dee-Ann Potter, Phil and his wife, Tammy Potter, Brad and his wife, Heidi Potter, Fred and his wife, Rosie Dearborn and her youngest, Brandon Dearborn; brothers, John and wife, Bette Tibbetts and Bob and wife, Jill Tibbetts; sisters, Jo and husband, Plum Potter Jr. and Lucy and husband, Jimmy Clemmons; Grammie D is also survived by Plum IV, Erika, Jonathan, Christina, Autumn, Joey, Faith, Meredith, Lauralee, Myrraya, Tamara, Ares, Owen, Tyler, Freddie and Bradley; and Everett Dearborn.

She was predeceased by an infant brother, David; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Tibbett Sr.; her oldest brother, Dick; and several aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Online condolences may be express to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.