DOROTHY MAY MOODY PIERSON

GARDINER -- Dorothy May Moody Pierson passed away at home on Saturday, Sept. 15, after a long and extremely hard- fought battle with cancer.

Dorothy was born in Hallowell on Sept. 4, 1920, the daughter of Catherine Elizabeth Shanley and Arthur Moody.

Dorothy grew up in Hallowell, and on the farm in West Gardiner, where she spent many happy times with her stepfather, Roy Richardson. She loved the farm and swimming at the Pond Road bridge. Dorothy loved to dance and reminisced often about the dances she would attend. She was Miss Gardiner in 1937.

She was a unique woman who was naturally funny just by being herself. She was strong, loving, kind, witty, wise and very Irish. God help you if you came into her home on St. Patrick's Day without wearing green, or interrupted a Patriots game. In her later years, she enjoyed a good rum and Coke and watching old movies.

Dorothy was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, affectionately known as "Mammy." She always put her family first and brought great joy to each of us. A touch of her beautiful hand made the world feel right in hard times, and throughout our lives we needed that hand many times. Our mother was always there for us and gave us her support even when she thought we might be making a mistake. She gave us our own wings to learn about life and loved us unconditionally. Dorothy was and always will be a beautiful Irish women, the matriarch of our family, and the song in our hearts. Dorothy had a wise soul, great beauty, grace, and dignity, which she kept throughout her life and will live on in her family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. Pierson Jr.; a sister, Kathleen Moody Barrett; her parents; and her beloved son, Patrick. She is survived by her three daughters, Kathleen Gilbert, and her husband, Jerry, Tammy Greenleaf, and her husband, Randy, and Peggy Lane, and her partner, Eric Knight; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Dr. Cameron McKee and the nursing staff at his office, especially Bobbi, who gave her constant support and guidance.

We would also like to thank Quizno's for their cream of broccoli soup and Red's for always sending her a cookie. Thank you to the neighbors at Highland Avenue Terrace who became like a second family. There will be a celebration of Dorothy's life at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.