Dana T. Wigton

1924 - 2017

Dana T. Wigton

AGE: 93 • Cape Elizabeth, ME

Dana Trewin Wigton passed away peacefully at her home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with her family by her side on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. She was 93.

Born on February 26, 1924 in Plainfield, NJ to Charles Sydney Trewin and Annette Van Mater Trewin, Dana attended Hartridge School in Plainfield and graduated from The Knox School in Cooperstown, NY in 1942.

She married the love of her life, Charles Benson Wigton Jr., also of Plainfield, on May 12, 1945 just as the war was ending. During the war, while her fiancé was overseas serving in France and Italy with the U.S. Army Air Corps, she volunteered stateside as a nurse's aide. After their marriage, she and Ben raised four children; Dana, Richard, Robin, and Parker. She was a stay at home mom in Plainfield while Ben became President and CEO of Wigton-Abbott Corporation, a locally-based engineering design and construction firm.

With a seasonal home in Rangeley, Maine, where the lake, streams, and mountains became a permanent love of hers, she took her children every summer while Ben commuted on weekends. She learned the art of fly fishing and often out-fished her husband. She loved the calling loons, cultivating her beautiful garden, and the sacred "cc and water" on the dock at sunset. Dana also enjoyed golf, tennis, bridge, needlepoint, intricate wooden jigsaw puzzles, tending her flowers, traveling the world, and the company of her many friends. She long cheered for the New York Giants and the Rangers. When it came to professional tennis, it is likely Roger Federer had no greater or devoted fan. If possible, she said near the end, it would be great if "Roger would come" to her service to say a few words.

When the first grandchild arrived, Dana earned the name "Dutchess" and she certainly lived up to the title. As matriarch of a growing clan, she was known for her sense of style and grace. She was a pillar of wisdom, kindness, generosity, and love of family. Though often stoic, Dutch had a wicked sense of humor; naughty at times, but with exquisite timing and a dry delivery.

Over the years, her family has collected a hysterical collection of sayings and quips, assembled into a book of "Dutchisms," that will forever bring smiles to those who knew her. "A bird can't fly with just one wing," for example, if cocktail hour happened to demand a second round. Or, if a shocking bit of news was shared, "Imagine!" she would declare in a way that only she could.

Dana, who relished having a large and boisterous family, was fun-loving and playful and adored each and every one of her ten grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. After her husband died in 1997, following 52 years of marriage, it was then that Dana moved to Portland to be closer to three of her children, their families, and, of course, the gathering place for all that Rangeley has become.

After a full and well-lived life, Dana passed on as she lived - with dignity, grace, and surrounded by loved ones. For all those who knew and loved her, the space left can never be filled but she lives in their hearts. And they will always know where to find her when the sun sets over the lake, when the fish jump, when the laughter at dinner rises, or when the loons call out in the cove. We love you, Dutch.

She is survived by her older brother Sydney Parker Trewin and his wife Alex of Seattle, Washington; a daughter, Dana Towle Wigton of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; a son Richard Benson Wigton and his wife Barbara of Osprey, FL; a daughter Robin Wigton Moyer and her husband Peter of Jackson Hole, WY; and a son Parker Garrigues Wigton of Winchester, VA. Ten grandchildren, Courtney Thoreck and her husband Jeff; Thomas Byrd and his wife Gina; Amy Cochran and her husband Robert; Mandy Queally and her husband Jon; Whitney Wigton, Taylor Wigton and his fiancé Melissa Dudley; Brooke Hastings and her husband Brandt; Jennifer Fry and her husband Jared; Charles Moyer and his wife Laura; and Emily Moyer and her fiancé Brian McGrath; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband of 52 years.

Her family wishes to thank Kindred Care, Village Crossings of Cape Elizabeth for the amazing care they gave Dutchess over the past four and a half years. She made many wonderful friends while there and they as well as the staff loved her and her cat, Clementine. Also, many thanks to Hospice of Southern Maine for their gracious care and support.

Visiting hours Friday November 10, 4-6pm at Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland, Maine. Graveside service to be held on Wednesday November 15 at Hillside Cemetery in Plainfield, NJ.

Arrangements by Hobbs Funeral Home South Portland, ME. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust; Hospice of Southern Maine; or

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.