WINSLOW -- Dorothy Murphy passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, June 6, 2010, with her daughter by her side following a yearlong illness. She was 86 years old.Dorothy was born Feb. 2, 1924, to Walter and Edith (York) Preo. She grew up and attended schools in Winslow.During the war, she worked as a welder at Bath Iron Works. In 1945 she married Grover Huntley. They built their home (with Dorothy doing a lot of the work herself) in Winslow where they raised five children. Grover and Dorothy owned and operated a company that built and serviced yachts so despite Dorothy's fear of the water, Grover and her spent many summers out on the ocean. They eventually purchased land and a home in Belfast so they could live closer to the ocean. Grover passed away in 1977.Dorothy married Lewis Murphy Jr. in 1981. They remodeled and lived in the same home that she was raised in while spending winters in Hudson, Fla. They eventually moved down to New Port Richey, Fla., year-round until Lewis' passing in 2000. Upon Lewis' death, Dorothy returned to live in Maine. She moved into the apartment her daughter and son-in-law built for her above their home.The greatest legacy Dorothy left her family was not money or belongings but in the memories and ideals she tried to teach us all. Dorothy devoted her life to her family. There was nothing more important to her than her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the matriarch of the family in all ways. She taught us all the meaning of unconditional love and devotion. She always stood proud throughout her life, even in the most difficult times. You would never hear her complain about anything. She taught us that anybody can be strong when times are good but the true measure of a person's character is how they stand when faced with adversity. Dorothy always stood with her head high and would fight with everything she had to defend those she loved. This strength was evident up to her last breath. Dorothy never took the easy way out of anything. She always did what she thought was right even if it was not always easy.The lessons Grammy taught all of us through the years will stay with us forever. Her only wish was that we would do the same for our children and grandchildren as she did for us. Never think about what is best for you but what is best for the ones you love. Those who you take care of will always be there to take care of you. This is the way Dorothy lived. She gave all she ever had and never expected anything in return.Dorothy discovered later in life that she enjoyed painting and was a talented artist. She passed many days sketching or painting some beautiful art. This art will become priceless heirlooms that her family will cherish. She also loved her flower gardens. Up until her illness last year, you would find her outside tending her flowers. Dorothy knew how to enjoy the simple things in life. As she always said, it is not how much you have but what you do with it that matters. The family would like to express their deeply felt gratitude to Becca and all the other nurses from HealthReach Hospice who helped care for Dorothy over the last year. The tender care, compassion and dignity they showed Dorothy over the last year went beyond our expectations. The emotional support you gave Linda and her family over the last year as they cared for Dorothy was invaluable. Thank you to Lisa Lagasse, Jacob Dyer and Cindy Vickers for the wonderful care they gave Grammy when Linda was working. No words can express our gratitude. We could have not gotten through this without any of you. Also a special thanks to the staff of High Hopes Clubhouse and Kennebec Behavioral Health for their support over the last year. Dorothy often referred to her daughter Linda as her angel, saying she didn't know what she would have ever done without her. Linda stayed by her mother's side day and night caring for her, honoring her wishes and giving her dignity right up to the end. Even in death, their bond will never be broken. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents; husbands Grover Huntley and Lewis Murphy; sons Thomas Huntley and Robert Craig and granddaughter Julie Craig. Dorothy is survived by a son, Richard Craig, and his wife, Joan; daughters Nancy Gradie and Linda Lagasse and her husband, Donald; daughter-in-law Jolyn Craig; sister Christine Veilleux and her husband, Amie; grandchildren Steven Craig, Michael Craig, Amy Mayhew and husband Robert, Allen Craig and his wife, Angela, Cindy Leach and her husband, Doug; David Gradie, James Gradie, Debbie Cyr and her husband, Daniel, Stefanie Jones and her husband, Andrew; Brenda Nadeau, Chad Lagasse and his wife, Lisa, and Tanya Dyer and her significant other, Richard Spaulding, and Deni Bouchard and her husband, Steve; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.Dorothy had a big heart and supported several organizations but the Covenant House was closest to her heart, so in lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Dorothy's honor to Covenant House, 460 W. 41st St., New York, NY 10036.Funeral services are under the direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, and held privately as Dorothy requested. Dorothy Murphy was an amazing woman who will be missed more than can ever be imagined. Be at peace, Grammy. We will always love you. As you said, see you on the other side.