BELFAST — Dorothy (Ditty) Shute, 94, passed away peacefully in the Home Health and Hospice Unit of Waldo County General Hospital, January 10,2020 in Belfast, Maine with her sons by her side.

She was born September 5, 1925 in Belfast to Elsie (Little) Dalton and Paul Dalton. She attended Belfast Schools and married Eugene Shute in November 1948.

Ditty was predeceased by Gene in 2005 after 57 years of marriage and by her siblings, Paul Dalton, James, Helen and Frances, and sister-in law Alida Coates and her husband Donald Coates.

Ditty is survived by sons, Kevin Shute and his wife Joan Newkirk of Bath, Maine, and Greg Shute and his wife Lynne Flaccus of Alna, Maine; grandchildren Maggie Shute and husband Dylan Estabrooks of North Yarmouth, Maine and Kyle Shute of Clemson South Carolina; nieces, Pam Painter and her husband Mike from Whitehall, Illinois, Jan Coates of Hall Quarry, Maine, and Kathy Dalton-Uekler Kirkland Washington; and nephews, Pat Dalton from Washington State, and Peter Dalton and his wife Cyndi from Virginia.

Ditty spent her entire life in Belfast. She was a stay at home Mom when her children were young and then worked at Colburn Shoe Store, Boutique Hair Salon, Campbells Clothing Store and for the Belfast School Department. She was a lifetime communicant at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and longtime member of the Northport Golf Club and Belfast Curling Club.

After retiring she became a dedicated volunteer for the Waldo County Hospital Aid and she was an active member of the Waldo County YMCA where she enjoyed walking around the track followed by regular gatherings for coffee with the “End of the Hall Gang.” She enjoyed many wonderful summers at the family camp on Pitcher Pond in Lincolnville.

She was incredibly proud of her family and followed her sons and grandchildren around the state to attend athletic events. She was at a high school basketball game in Belfast Tuesday night with dear friends when she experienced the first signs of the stroke that would end her life. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she was especially proud of their academic achievements and most importantly the kind and caring young adults they have become.

Mom so valued her many friendships, and our family would like to share deep gratitude to her many loving friends who have provided incredible support especially after she gave up her driver’s license a couple years ago. The companionship and transportation provided by friends to the YMCA, church, shopping, basketball games, summer concerts and often to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard allowed her to live independently!

The family sends deep appreciation to the caring and dedicated staff of The Belfast Ambulance Service, Waldo County General Hospital, Maine Medical Center SCU, LifeFlight of Maine, and Hospice of Waldo County, and heartfelt gratitude to long time family physician and good friend of Mom and Dad, Dr. James Delehanty.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Waldo County YMCA, Home Health and Hospice of Waldo County or LifeFlight Maine.

A memorial service will be held on January 16, at 10 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belfast, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home Belfast, ME. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com