CAMDEN — Thelma Iona Small Dean, 83, of Camden, Maine, passed away on February 6, 2020 with her family at her side.

Born January 22, 1937 in Camden, Maine, was the daughter of Adella Arey Phillips of Camden, Maine, and Abigail Pendleton Small and George Small of Camden, Maine.

Thelma was married to Reginald Dean on June 3, 1956 in Camden, Maine.

She is survived by her daughter Rhondalee Arey Dean-Royce and her husband Winston W. Royce; her sons, Michael D. Dean and his companion Christine McLarty, Christopher N. Dean and his wife T. Dean, Timothy S. Dean and his companion Lisa Johnson; and her daughter-in-law Maureen Dean.

Her grandchildren include Arey-Buchanan Dean Royce, Ainsley-Ryan Dean Royce, Connor Christopher Dean, Danielle Beaulieau, Katie Beaulieau, Jessica Dean, Liza Harriman, Rachael Harriman; and her great-grandson Simon Dean Algara.

Thelma was predeceased by her husband, Reginald N. Dean, in 2019; her son Jeffrey N. Dean in June 2014; as well as her parents, and great aunts and uncles.   

Thelma Dean graduated the University of Maine at Augusta, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She also received a Master’s Degree from Carnegie in Boston, Massachusetts. She also received an Associate’s Degree from the University of Maine at August in Nursing. She was a Maine State Certified nursing and healthcare trainer. Thelma worked in all aspects of nursing for most of her life, retiring from Nursing and Assisted Living Administration in 2017.

Mrs. Dean’s natural gift was always serving people which was exemplified through mentoring and being preceptor to many nurses, sharing the wisdom and experience that she gained over the years. She was very conscientious in serving her patients with dignity, respect and true compassion.

Mrs. Dean was a longstanding member of the Camden-Rockport community. She was the epitome of a wonderful and devoted wife and mother. You could always count on her to be there for her children and family. She was an outstanding example of a true matriarch, her legacy will impact her children and generations to come.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., at Oak Hill Cemetery, Hosmer Pond Road, Camden.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with the Dean family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.