Dorothy Nicholas Sutton

Scarborough -

Dorothy Nicholas Sutton, of Scarborough, Maine, died peacefully at home on January 5, 2026. Born in Derby, Connecticut to Willard Samuel Nicholas and Josephine Webb Nicholas, Dorothy devoted her life to her family, her profession, her church, her hobbies, and most significantly to her husband John.

Dorothy spent her early years in the Huntington section of Shelton, CT and attended Huntington School and Shelton High School, where she participated in Band and Yearbook. She spent a good deal of time on her grandparents' farm, helping her parents run their gas station, apple orchard, and cider press, and actively participating in activities of the Huntington Grange. In 1951 Dorothy earned a BS in Home Economics from the New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass College) and in 1952 a Master of Library Sciences from Syracuse University. Her first job as a professional librarian was at the Bridgeport Public Library. After John and Dorothy married in 1956, they lived briefly in Darien, CT, before settling in Norwalk, CT and finally Scarborough, ME.

Like many women in the late 1950s, Dorothy left the workforce when she and John started a family. For twenty years, she did all of those Mom things - volunteered at school libraries, drove carpools to the Norwalk YMCA and Norwalk Youth Symphony, hosted sleepovers, chaperoned field trips, drove to music lessons and monitored practicing. Though not a big fan of water sports, she encouraged her two daughters to swim and sail, and always encouraged them to read. Dorothy never said no to a trip to the library or to visit their grandparents and cousins in Shelton! What she did say no to was driving them to school, to their friends' houses, or to their summer jobs, instead having them walk or ride their bikes. Though not always appreciated by them at the time - "Mom, can you pleeease give me a ride." - that's just the way it was.

When Dorothy returned to her career as a librarian, she started at Darien High School, but found that she missed working with adults and families. When a job opened at the Perrott Memorial Library in Old Greenwich, CT, she jumped at it. From 1984 to 2010, Perrott was her work home, and the staff and patrons were her work family. She absolutely loved her time there as a multimedia specialist handling the film, VHS, and DVD archives and circulation. When the family vacationed at the Jersey shore each summer, Dorothy would fill a gigantic LL Bean Boat and Tote with library books for everyone to share. It was too heavy to lift!

Wherever she lived, Dorothy was active in her church. She sang in the choir and played piano at Huntington Congregational Church and later served on the Altar Guild and taught Sunday School at Trinity Episcopal Church in Norwalk. While she and John belonged to Grace Church in Norwalk, she was the Pledge Secretary, a lector, and a member of the Bell Choir. At Saint Nicholas Church in Scarborough Dorothy served on the Bishop's Committee, played the chimes, and was a lector. When Dorothy read Bible lessons or Prayers of the People, everyone loved her clear delivery. Even when she no longer attended church in person, she continued to read lessons on Zoom.

Finally, Dorothy was passionate about all types of needlecrafts. A talented seamstress, she sewed everything from tailored jackets to children's clothes to a wedding dress. She found joy in quilting, crewel embroidery, bargello, needlepoint, and counted cross stitch, but knitting was her craft of choice for her entire life. Whether it was cables, lace work, stripes, brioche, or mosaic knitting, Dorothy did it all extremely well. She loved spending Saturday mornings at the Scarborough Public Library with the Knitters, even during the pandemic when the group met on Zoom. She inspired so many knitters over the years, especially her daughters. With their help she finished her final project just a few months ago, and when she could no longer knit, she enjoyed reading from her extensive collection of knitting books.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, John Frederick Sutton, her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Charles Vollaro, her sisters-in-law, Mary Faith Sutton and Elizabeth Nicholas. She is survived by her brother, Willard Nicholas of Shelton, CT, daughters Cathy Bennett of South Portland, ME and Carol Sutton of Fryeburg, ME and their husbands Mark Bennett and Christopher Madden; grandchildren Dana Bennett and his wife Maggie Loeffelholz of Westbrook, ME, Carolyn Bennett of Seattle, WA, and Malachai Madden of Lowell, MA, one niece and two nephews and their families.

The family would also like to acknowledge Dorothy's home healthcare angels: Brenda, Diane, Paige, and Theresa, who were with her around the clock for the past three years. Their tireless attention to Dorothy's needs were a source of immeasurable comfort for her and the family. The family also wishes to acknowledge the service of Hospice of Southern Maine during the past few months.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 11:00am at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Scarborough, ME. In the spirit of celebration, please wear pink, purple, or blue, Dorothy's favorite colors.

Should you choose to honor Dorothy with a charitable gift, the family requests contributions be made to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Scarborough Public Library, or your favorite charity.