1925 – 2015

WHITEFIELD — Dorothy Wells Howell, best known as “Dot”, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 13, surrounded by her loving family. Her final weeks personified her life, spending it amidst love, family and friends.

Dot was born in Randolph, Mass. on Aug. 22, 1925, the youngest daughter of Marian W. and Arthur J. Schoenfuss. Dot graduated from the Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn., in 1943. In 1947, she graduated from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., where she majored in mathematics. Dot was a member of Sigma Xi, a national honorary scientific society. She loved Wellesley College very much and was part of the crew team there. She returned regularly to attend her reunions.

Following her graduation from Wellesley College, Dot worked for six years at United Aircraft Corporation in East Hartford, Conn., as an engineering aide and mathematician in support of the World War II recovery effort. She moved to Maine in 1953 with husband, Jay, to become poultry farmers, starting the Feather and Fleece Farm.

Over the years, Dot volunteered for the Whitefield Fire Department, the PTA and other local activities. She worked for the Census Bureau, Department of Commerce for 36 years, starting in 1975 as a field representative and then advancing to a supervisory capacity. With this work, she traveled the state of Maine and made many friends along the way. She enjoyed her census work very much. She retired in 2011 at the age of 85.

Her proudest accomplishment was being a mother of five, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of three.

Dot was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Julian F. Howell (“Jay”).

She is survived by her five children, Wendy Stanley of Portland, Heidi Gotlib and husband, David, of South Dartmouth, Mass., Jef Howell and wife, Cathi, of New Harbor, Dick Howell and wife, Shari, of Whitefield and Dolly Burns and husband, Dan, of Whitefield; her eight grandchildren, Jon and Jesse Gotlib and fiancee, Bryna Brooks, Caryn and Laura Howell, Josh Howell and wife, Hurley, Ashley Burdick and husband, Alex, and Nathan and Hannah Burns; and her three great-grandchildren, Graham Howell and Austin and Corbin Burdick. She is also survived by her brother, Arthur Schoenfuss and wife, Kay, of Naples, Fla.; and her sister, Lee Smith of Edgecomb.

Dot always loved mail. She was a daily letter writer and eagerly looked forward to the mail carrier’s car coming down the road. The amazing number of cards she received for her birthday and most recently at the hospital reflect the number of friends she corresponded with. Dot’s family is very grateful that 120 of her friends and family gathered to honor her on her 90th birthday on a beautiful August day this year.

Our family wishes to thank the staff at MaineGeneral Hospital for their expertise, compassion, and many kindnesses shown during her month-long stay there.