Dorothy Ferne (Carver) Hanson

AUBURN – Dorothy Ferne (Carver) Hanson passed away peacefully on April 13, 2022, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn. She was born on April 26, 1935, in Auburn, one of nine children born to Fleeta A. (Smith) and Elwood N. Carver. She grew up in the neighborhood of North Auburn, with extended family close by, where she, and her siblings and friends spent their time enjoying the outdoors and Lake Auburn. Dorothy graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1953. She married her beloved soulmate, William “Billy” Edward Hanson on April 13, 1956. They settled in Turner, where they co-owned Hanson Service Station on Route 4. They also later co-owned and operated Snell Hill Mobile Home Park in Turner before retiring to the Englewood, Fla., area. They lived in Florida for over 25 years, until Billy’s death in 2015, but returned to Maine to spend each summer. In 2016 Dorothy relocated to Maine, where she resided at Schooner Estates in Auburn. Dorothy graduated from Clown School while in Florida and “Giggles”, her clown name, entertained local groups of children and seniors for many happy years. Dorothy and Billy were founding members of the Lemon Bay Playhouse in Englewood, Fla., and served in many capacities in that organization, from being Board Members to working in scenery, props, costume and ticketing departments. Whatever was needed, they were the ones called upon to get the job done. Dorothy was very outgoing and active throughout her life and enjoyed skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling as well as beach combing, boating, tennis, biking and gardening. She loved music and singing and was an excellent dancer. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Billy, her parents, her parents-in-law, Josie and Harry Hanson, as well as her sisters and their husbands, Joan and Paul Lyons and Norma and James Hoy. She is also predeceased by her brothers, Wilfred “Roger”, John and David Carver. Also her sisters-in-law, Joyce Carver and Patricia Castner, and brothers-in-law, Ted Boothby, John Hodge, Lester Gilman III, James Hanson Sr and his wife, Ann, as well as a special niece, Kathy Hanson and special “sister” Margie Libby. Dorothy is survived by her sisters, Margaret Hodge of Florida, Judith Boothby, Sandra Vye and her husband, Richard, all of Auburn.She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Laura Carver of Turner, and Barbara Gilman of Florida. Also her special cousins, Gordon and Gary Leighton, Beth and Bruce Carver and Cynthia Solomon Gabaree, as well as “little brother” Danny Libby.Dorothy is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great and great-great nieces/nephews, all of whom she loved dearly and all of whom were blessed to have “Aunt Dottie” in their lives. Her passing, and the loss of her smile, laughter and joy of life, leaves a huge hole in all their lives.Dorothy often sang the song “Don’t Worry; Be Happy” and would want everyone to remember the beautiful memories they have of their times with her but not to let those memories be overshadowed by her loss, as she is now where she has wanted to be for so long, that being beside her beloved husband, Billy.The family wishes to express our appreciation to the hardworking staff at Schooner Estates and Schooner Memory Care for the care and comfort they provided to Dorothy, especially during the very difficult period of Covid quarantine when family was not able to be with her in person. We would also like to acknowledge Dorothy’s “sister” Emmeline, who brought so much joy into her life and kept her singing and laughing for the past several years.There are no funeral or memorial services currently scheduled but a Celebration of Life event, and burial in the North Auburn Cemetery alongside her husband, Billy, will be planned for this coming summer. The details for these events will be shared with family and friends once confirmed. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a gesture in Dorothy’s memory could consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Androscoggin Hospice House.