Dorothy Matson

Dorothy Ann Matson
Brewer
On Sunday, the Lord's day, January 22nd, after a nine month struggle with cancer, Dorothy Ann (Ouellette) Matson was released from this earthly life into everlasting peace. Dot was born June 8, 1952 in Portland, Maine to June (Conley) Ouellette and Emile (Bib) Ouellette. She grew up in Gorham, Maine and graduated from Gorham High School, class of 1970, and attended the University of Southern Maine, where she made lasting friends and met the love of her life, Charles Matson.
She married Chuck in 1972, and together they made a home in Brewer, Maine and raised their two sons, Daniel and Andrew. Dot worked at several jobs as a teacher's aide and music teacher. Chuck and Dot worked at developing a printing business and later began Matson Marine in Bucksport. Dot spoke of her pride in being able to move large sailboats around the boat yard with ease.
Her love of God and response to God's call on her life led her into leadership of youth and music ministries at the North Brewer/Eddington United Methodist Church. Her concern for and ability to relate to young people, as well as her talent as an accordion player and her sense of humor as a Clown for Christ added to many memorable occasions at church and family functions.
Because her call to ministry was strong and persistent, with Chuck's blessing she dedicated herself to studies that would lead her eventually to ordination as a United Methodist Minister. The road was a long one, leading her through classes at the University of Maine and the Bangor Theological Seminary to earn her Master's of Divinity degree which she did with distinction. She was honored to lead her class in their graduation march.
Dot's first appointment was in 1999 in Washington County, at the Milbridge/Wyman and Faith Harrington United Methodist Churches. While there she helped with the building of the new Faith United Methodist Church in Columbia.
In 2003, Dot was appointed to the United Methodist Churches in the towns of Washburn(Lidstone Memorial) and Mapleton in Aroostook County where she served until 2015. During that time she was ordained as an elder in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. As was true wherever she lived and worked, she made close friends, and enjoyed kayaking, day trips and many adventures.
Dot loved spending her time in downeast Maine, at her camp in Perry and anywhere close to the ocean. The importance of walks on a beach and of finding sand dollars is well known by her many friends and family.
Gatherings of loved ones were always a joy to her, and especially if they included her two sons and their families and other family members. Her three grandchildren were her pride and joy and she proudly shared pictures and stories of their escapades.
Dot was predeceased by her husband Charles and her mother June, and her mother and father-in-law Verna and Waldo Matson. She leaves behind her son Dan, his wife Nicole, their children Reid, Dayna, and Paige, her son Andy and his wife Elizabeth, her father Emile Ouellette, sister Suzanne Chabot and her husband Roland, sister-in-law Lorraine Dill and husband Earl, several nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Dot, cousins, an uncle and many, many friends.
A Celebration of the life of Dot Matson will be held on March 4th, 11:00 at the North Brewer/Eddington United Methodist Church,31 Main Rd., Eddington. Fellowship and opportunity to meet with family and friends will take place after the service. Internment is planned later in the spring at the Day Road Cemetery in Brewer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the Northern Maine Methodist Churches c/o Northern District Office, 44 Kennebec Road, Hampden, Maine 04444 or to a cancer charity of your choice.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.Memorial-Alternatives.com.