Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Cleaves
First Name	Dorothy
Middle Name
Maiden Name	Clark
Nick Name
Place of Birth
Date of Birth	1914-07-22
Place of Death	Yarmouth, ME
Date of Death	2007-09-11
Publication	Courtesy of TheDailyME
Obituary	DOROTHY C. CLEAVES DEXTER AND YARMOUTH, Dorothy C. Cleaves, 93, formerly of Dexter, passed away on September 11, 2007, at Bay Square in Yarmouth. She was born July 22, 1914, the daughter of Guy L. and Olive C. Clark. Dorothy lived most of her life in Dexter with her beloved husband, Dennis M. Cleaves Sr. and their family. Dorothy and Dennis Cleaves successfully owned and operated several businesses in Dexter over a span of almost 50 years. They met and fell in love at the AG Grocery Store, which they subsequently bought, after they married in 1937. They sold that after many years and took over her father’s business, Guy L. Clark Chevrolet Inc. in the late 1940’s. After more than a decade, they retired from the car business and formed Clark’s Mobile Homes Inc. and then built Ridgewood Terrace Mobile Home Park. Their son, Dennis M. Cleaves Jr. took over that business and in 1965, they opened Clark’s Furniture Store, where they both worked until they retired in 1980. They sold their home that Dennis built on the Dover Road, and moved onto their cherished island on Lake Wassookeag. In 1987, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and in 1999 sold the island and moved to Park Danforth in Portland. After her husband’s death in 2000, Dorothy moved to Bay Square in Yarmouth. Dorothy was a Girl Scout leader, and a past president of each of the following: Dexter Sunshine Club, Dexter Women’s Literary Club, Dexter PTA and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also cofounder of the Dexter Music Boosters. Dorothy felt she had been very blessed in this lifetime by her husband, 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren and her many friends. She had the gift of compassion for all people and spent many hours giving gifts, food and companionship to those in need. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dennis and daughter, Penny. She is survived by a daughter, Meredyth Chabot and husband Maurice, from Cumberland, ME; a son, Dennis M. Cleaves, Jr. from Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and another daughter, Cynthia Simpson from Gorham, ME; along with all their families. A memorial service will be held at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main Street in Dexter at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15th. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 AM until the time of the service. Immediately following the burial ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, a luncheon will be served at the Brewster House in Dexter for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dexter Sunshine Club, c/o .Nancy Baldwin, 59 Acadia St. Dexter, ME 04930. Those who wish may sign an on-line guest register at www.CrosbyNeal.com.