AUBURN — Dorothy May Lane Lashua, 95, of Minot Avenue, Auburn, passed away peacefully on Jan. 12, at her home, with loved ones by her side.

She was born Dec. 12, 1916, in Gillingham, Kent, England, and sailed to America with her parents, John H.A. and Edith Lane in 1919. Educated in several Massachusetts schools, she also graduated from Kirby Beauty Academy in Norfolk, Va., where she lived for eight years with her husband and their daughter. After they returned to New England, Dorothy did nursing at a local hospital in the Boston area and later worked at Bulova Watch Co. in Waltham, Mass.

Her only child and life-long closest friend, Eleanor, married Joseph Guy Yvon Pelletier from Canada, and the three moved to Auburn in 1963. Dorothy was the matriarch of the growing family and the ultimate homemaker. She was frugal, creative and had boundless energy. Known for her wonderful gourmet cooking and interior decorating, she also sewed quilts, made drapes, braided rugs, caned chairs, built bookcases, upholstered and refinished furniture (even a piano), planted flower gardens, and so much more! A lover of beauty and nature, she especially enjoyed lighthouses and spending time by the sea.

Dorothy composed several songs and authored “The Adventures of Rompkin,” an unpublished children’s series of books containing more than 1,000 pages. Her greatest love was writing poetry. Here her innermost feelings were expressed; whether happy or sad, playful or philosophical. She was a prolific writer (penning more than 2,000 poems), several of which will be published soon under the title “Poems For Life.”

Dorothy had a huge heart and was beautiful inside and out!! She gave generous hugs, burned hot over child abuse and shed tears about world hunger. She uplifted everyone she met with laughter, words of encouragement and her lovely smile.

Strong faith in God and belief in prayer sustained her throughout a most remarkable life. Two of her oft-quoted texts were Psalms 91 and Isaiah 41:10. God was truly her constant source of strength, guidance and peace.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Eleanor Lashua Pelletier and son-in-law, Joseph Pelletier, of Auburn; four grandchildren, Jonathan Pelletier of Bremen, Joel Pelletier of Portland, Esther Pelletier of Gorham and Dorothy May Hill (her namesake) of Otisfield; five great-grandchildren, Elliana, Micayla, Matthew, Tashala and Solomon Hill; and one niece, Nancy Lane Stone of Keene, N.H. She was predeceased by her ex-husband; parents; a brother; and sister.

Dorothy will always be treasured in our hearts, much loved and greatly missed!!!

Family and friends are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Dorothy’s life by visiting her guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.