Dorothy Underhill Gardner
AUBURN – On March 5, 2026, Dorothy Underhill Gardner passed peacefully at 89 years old.
Dorothy was born in Bangor, in 1936 to Stanley and Cora (Morrison) Underhill. She loved spending time with her Grandmother Underhill on the Underhill farm. After World War II, they moved to Portland, from San Francisco where her father had been sent to work at the Naval shipyard. Dorothy graduated from Deering High School in 1954. While visiting relatives in Allagash, Dorothy met and fell in love with Rodney Gardner and they were married in 1955. They settled in Allagash where they made many happy memories and had their first four children. In 1968, they moved to Topsham, ME where they added two more children to their tribe.
Dorothy was active in her church, Berean Baptist, led a women’s Bible study in her home for 40 years, and hosted all the baby and bridal showers for the church friends. One of her achievements was serving on the board of CareNet of Mid Coast Maine.
For more than 25 years, Dorothy served on the MSAD 75 school board. It was an honor and a privilege for her to serve the parents, students, and staff as a school board member. She always felt that Eagle Pride.
In her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Topsham Garden Club.
What her children remember most was her hospitality. Her door was always open and a bed was ever ready for traveling friends and family. Every Sunday the dining room table was surrounded by Navy couples, Bowdoin students, and people from every walk of life. The table was covered in hot dishes and cold salads and desserts were homemade delights. She never made less than eight pies at a time. Dorothy loved meeting new people and visiting with old friends. Within minutes of meeting someone she would know more about them than any background check could provide.
Dorothy is catching up to Rodney who predeceased her in 2013. She is also predeceased by her daughter Vanessa Gardner Wood in 1994 and her sister Sandra Underhill Googins in 2024. Dorothy is survived by a sister Joyce Underhill Fozzard of Arkansas and by her five remaining children: Peter and Dianne Gardner of Hayden, Idaho, Laurie Gardner Hale of Parma, Mich., Becky (Gardner) and Phil Beemer also of Parma, Mich., Jennifer (Gardner) and Dwight Balser of Topsham, and Tim and Helen Gardner of Brunswick. She is the proud grandmother to 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Schooner Memory Care in Auburn, and The Hospice House by Andwell Health Partners also in Auburn for their kind care and attention in her final days. Dorothy is now at peace and with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Family and friends are invited to visit 4-7 p.m., on Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. A graveside service to be held in Allagash at a later date. Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.brackettfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CareNet of Mid Coast Maine in Brunswick or The Hospice House by Andwell in Auburn.
