AUBURN — Nancy Y. Dunham, 74, of Monmouth, passed from this life into the next on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn. She was born Sept. 9, 1943, in Lewiston. She was one of 10 children of Ella Walker Yates and Fenton Yates, and loving wife of Lawrence Dunham.

Nancy graduated from Mechanic Falls High School in 1961. On May 20, 1966, she and Larry married and settled in Lewiston, then moved to Auburn soon after. After living in Auburn for almost 44 years, she and Larry moved to North Monmouth to a home she had always wanted. She loved the rural setting, being in a one-floor home and working in her flower gardens. When cold weather approached each year, she was eager to travel south to Zephyrhills, Fla., to enjoy time in the sun, and the company of many lifelong and other Florida friends she spent time with during the last 12 winters there. She was a very hard worker as a youth and adult. She became a telephone operator, retiring after 30 years of service. She then happily worked 12 more years for Androscoggin Head Start as an assistant cook. Cooking was one of her great passions. She especially delighted in baking an extensive array of treats that family and friends always looked forward to, many of which were inspired by her impressive collection of favorite cookbooks. She also had fun camping, especially when the family was able to upgrade to a camping trailer — after that there was no getting her back into a tent. She enjoyed riding in Larry’s Grand Lake canoe and kayaking. Even though fishing was not really her thing, she did catch a few that any fisherman would be proud of. As recent as late August, she remarked that it was great to be on the water on such a beautiful day. Nancy attended the Greene Baptist Church and was a member of the local Auburn-Lewiston Gideon camp. Nancy was also a proud lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers. Nancy unconditionally loved and unceasingly wanted the best for her entire family.

She is survived by husband, Larry, of North Monmouth; two sons, Mark and wife, Wanda Dunham of Greene, Darold and wife, Melissa Dunham of Northfield, N.H. Grandchildren include, Kyle and wife, Michelle Dunham of Auburn, Kristopher and wife, Micheala Dunham of Auburn, Joshua Dunham and companion, Tianna LaRoche of Lewiston, Addam Dunham and Amanda Dunham of Northfield, N.H.; and four great-grandchildren, Teo, Sloane, Daniel and Joelle. She is also survived by two sisters, Marlene Taylor of Lewiston and Sandra Yates of Mechanic Falls; and two brothers, Terry and wife, Martha Yates of Mechanic Falls, Mike and wife, Lee Yates of Oxford. Additionally she is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; three brothers and wives, Fenton and Alberdeen Yates, Ronald and Martha Yates, Arnold and Mary Lou Yates; along with two sisters, Patricia and husband, Robert Strout, and Judy Yates; and a brother-in-law, Sumner Taylor. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff who provided excellent care and support during these last few weeks.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Nancy Y. Dunham

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