ROCKLAND — Marie Dorr Thurston, 88, passed away peacefully February 12, 2020 at her home in Ridgeville, S.C., surrounded by her daughters, their spouses, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marie was born to Warren and Lucretia (Crocker) Dorr, in Milbridge, on June 23, 1931. She attended school in Harrington, and when the family moved to Rockland, she attended and graduated from Rockland High School. On July 2, 1950, Marie married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Thurston.

Throughout her life Marie was a loving wife and mother and primarily a homemaker, but she also worked as secretary for the SAD 28 Superintendent of Schools; the executive secretary for the administrator of Pen Bay
Medical Center; and for many years Marie and Ronald owned Thurston’s Plumbing and Heating. In 1980 they moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, where they managed the Island Dunes and Islandia Condominiums.  

She was a member of the Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church in Rockland, and then later the First Baptist Church of Jensen Beach, in Jensen Beach, FL. She enjoyed sewing, baking, playing cards (especially cribbage),
camping, and creating handmade gifts for her family. In recent years she enjoyed feeding and watching the numerous birds outside her home. She looked forward to and loved her daily chats with her lifelong best friend,
Helen Heald. 

Marie’s family and the times spent in the chaos of get-togethers was her greatest joy.

Marie was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Ronald Thurston; daughter Susan Thurston; granddaughter, Bethany Reynolds; great-grandson, Cameron Ridlon; son-in-law, Kenneth Bailey; and brother, Warren Dorr, Sr.

She will forever be remembered and greatly missed by her daughters, Sandra Bailey (David Pound) of Rockport, Karen (Paul) Huntley of Winter Garden FL, Diane (Tim) Warner of Laurens, SC,  Lisa (John) Reichert of Ridgeville, SC, and Rhonda (Daniel) Campbell of Port St. Lucie, FL; and her 16 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Marie is also survived by brothers and sisters, Clayton (Janice) Dorr, Alonzo (Judy) Dorr, Beverly (Frank) Crain, Becky (Bruce) Gamage; as well as her sister-in-law, Barbara Dorr; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11 a.m., at Amesbury Hill Cemetery, in Rockport.

A reception and celebration of Marie’s life will follow at the home of Becky and Bruce Gamage, 10 Winding Way, Rockport, Maine.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, those who wish may make memorial donations can send them to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Rt. 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

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

To share a memory or condolence with Marie’s family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.