TOPSFIELD, Mass. / ANDOVER – Dorothy “Dotty” M. (Merrill) Roberts, 93, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.

Dotty was born and raised in Andover, a daughter of Waldo and Alice (Andrews) Merrill. She graduated from the University of Maine Orono with a bachelor’s in psychology and briefly worked at the Institute of Living mental health hospital in Hartford, Conn.

In 1953, she married the love of her life, Hartley F. Roberts, Jr. They briefly lived in Queens, N.Y. before moving to several towns in Massachusetts. In 1960, they built their home in Topsfield where they lived together until Hartley’s passing in 2004, and she continued to independently reside.

With her husband, Dotty’s pride and joy was raising their three children. Living adjacent to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary where they were members, they explored the beauty of nature’s flora and fauna. Later, she would happily experience the Audubon with her three adoring grandsons.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed and maintained the family home in Andover. Dotty was a long-time member and supporter of the First Congregational Church as well as a past officer of the Andover Alumni Association. In recent years, she contributed research and displays for the Andover Historical Society.

Dotty will be lovingly remembered by her children, Peter Roberts and his wife Joan, Daniel Roberts and his wife Lauren, and Susan (Brewer) and her husband Michael. She will be sadly missed by her special companion, Peter Stowell; and three grandchildren, Jacob, Nathaniel and Zachary Roberts.

Friends and family are invited to share memories with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com