Dorothy A. Wakem

Dorothy A. Wakem, 87, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, surrounded by her family following a brief illness. She was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine on November 4, 1938, the daughter of the late John and Annie (Baker) McCarthy. She was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Aroostook State Teachers College in Presque Isle, Maine and a master’s degree from the University of Maine. She was a beloved junior high teacher in the Ft. Fairfield school system and as an accomplished pianist coached a trio of student vocalists who performed at various community events. In 1967, she married her husband, David Wakem, with whom she shared 59 wonderful years.

Dottie, as she was commonly known, was a cherished volunteer and an active member of the Cary Medical Center Auxiliary for more than four decades of which she spent most of that time volunteering in the gift shop. She also was an active participant and coordinator of the Breast Cancer Walk for Life for many years. Most notably, she co-chaired a committee that researched, assembled and installed a pictorial project of historic Caribou photographs that line the halls of the hospital and are appreciated and enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors every day. She was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

She will be remembered for her kind smile, contagious laugh, love of music, gardening, entertaining, all manner of sports especially the Celtics and Red Sox and joining a parade with the kids in the Model A convertible lovingly known as the “green car” and especially her love of the camp on Madawaska Lake with family and friends. She was an exceptional homemaker, enjoyed collecting antiques and created a home that exuded charm and warmth. Some of her most enjoyable rituals were daily Cheese, Crackers and Wine at 5pm, Friday pizza night out with friends, lunches with her long time school friends and rides to Burger Boy with David for a quick bite and an ice cream cone.

She was predeceased by her husband, David H. Wakem, on May 6, 2026 and is survived by a son, Andrew Wakem of Windham, ME, a daughter, Catherine Williamson and husband Robert of Chandler, AZ, sister-in-law, Alyce Nobis of Scituate, MA and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by a sister, Mary Hartley.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on September 21, 2026, at the Parish of the Precious Blood Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with interment in the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery will follow. Following the services, all are invited to a time of continued fellowship, food and refreshments at the Caribou Country Club.

Memorial donations in Dottie’s memory may be made to The Jefferson Cary Foundation, P.O. Box 89, Caribou, Maine 04736.

The family wishes to acknowledge the Cary Medical Center staff for their professional, skillful and compassionate care.