On Valentine’s Day we lost a beautiful soul, Dorothy Elora Wood Janvrin. Dot, as she was widely known, was born at home in Groveland, Massachusetts, the fourth of six children of her loving parents, Marion Worthen Wood and Ralph Wood.  With a modest but enviable childhood, Dorothy and her high-spirited siblings: Vincent Wood, Marjorie Wood York, Richard Wood, Elizabeth Wood Platine, and David Wood, all of whom predeceased her, never lacked in imagination for fun and good-natured trouble making.

Her heart was ruled by love first and foremost, love for her family, her friends, and the world around her. Kindness and generosity were the values by which she conducted her day to day living, combine that with a playful sense of humor and a ruthless Parcheesi game, and you had a woman whose company everyone enjoyed.

There were many excursions to Plum Island, to the roller-skating rink, and for solitary walks on the beach with her father when she stayed at the “Elora” cottage. Performing World War II era tunes as one of “The Wood Sisters,” was one of her favorite recollections. At the age of 16, Dorothy met the love of her life, Edward Janvrin, whom she married in 1948. They made their home in Newburyport, Massachusetts and spent 18 years together raising Diane, David, Richard, and John, before Ed passed away at the age of 42. She never married again and focused her energies on raising her children, being a mother was one of the greatest joys of her life.

She belonged to the People’s United Methodist Church of Newburyport, was a camp counselor, den mother, library volunteer, Halloween costume maker, chocolate chip cookie baker, and avid game player. Many hands of cribbage were played and trips around the Parcheesi board made, but her most favorite pastime was putting thoughts into rhyme, a vast word trove to share with all of her heirs.

Dorothy eventually settled in Plaistow, New Hampshire, working at Keezer Manufacturing and the Coach Company, where she was appreciated for her exceptional work ethic, which she passed on to all her children. In Plaistow she leaves behind her long-time friends and neighbors Walter and Chera Proctor, their daughter Brittany, son Nathan and his family, all of whom she loved as an extended part of her family. More recently, her granddaughter Tiffany Proctor Horgan and her spouse Kerri Horgan, made her a great-grandmother to Emma, who brought her much joy in her later years.

After many years of companionship and loving care from her son Richard, Dorothy went to live in Maine with her daughter Diane and son-in-law Jack Mears. They continued their own loving care until Dorothy passed peacefully just shy of her 95th birthday, with Diane, Jack, and her granddaughter Tiffany by her side. A special thank you to the staff at MaineHealth Care at home hospice for their personal and professional care in easing her journey. Sadly, her son Richard passed away unexpectedly on the same day, deserving of his own tribute, his story is told elsewhere.

Related or not, Dorothy was Aunt Dot or Gramma Dot to the many friends, relatives, in-laws, and outlaws that she left behind. If Dorothy Wood Janvrin was in your life you were fortunate to experience the love and light of this very special woman. Her spirit remains with us, her story will carry on.

There will be no calling hours or public funeral, a private service will be held graveside for the immediate family. If you would like to make a gesture in honor or memory of Dorothy, in lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to a charity that lifts the lives of others, and tell the people important to you that you love them.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com