Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

Dorothy “Dolly” A. Oakes, 86 of Spruce Head, died Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at her home.

She was born January 8, 1932 in Warren, daughter of the late Frederick and Goldie M. (Yattaw) Putansu and Russell W. Card.

Dolly attended schools in St George and on December 27, 1952 she married the love of her life, Lawrence C. Oakes, Sr. Dolly worked many years at Van Balens as a surger. From Van Balens, she went to F.J. O’Hara’s where she was a fish cutter alongside her husband for more than 20 years. From F.J. O‘Hara, she went to Holmes Sardine Cannery as a Quality Control Inspector for the sardine line. The highlight of her career was going to Hawaii with her husband, on the big island, to inspect sardines. Additionally, she traveled throughout the Eastern seaboard training others in quality control and providing facility inspections. Switching careers, Dolly achieved her CNA and worked in private duty home care. After many years as a CNA, she joined her husband working at the Great Eastern Mussel Farm in St George until they both retired.

Dolly enjoyed singing, traveling, camping, sewing, family picnics, the color red and anything leopard print. Most of all, she loved her dogs ....from breeding poodles to adopting dogs from the animal shelter, Dolly always had at least one dog in the house. Dolly enjoyed watching the classics like Shirley Temple and Wizard of Oz. She perfected talking like a munchkin, reciting the phrase “follow the yellow brick road”. Dolly loved Elvis and was proud that he had the same birthdate as hers. Dolly was a great cook, known for many dishes; however; she was best known for her Italian spaghetti and chocolate bread pudding and butter sauce. Her recipe for the chocolate bread pudding was served for many years at her son’s restaurant, Touch of Class, on Main Street Rockland for many years. Dolly was loved by many and always enjoyed reminiscing. Dolly was known as “Nanny Oakes” to all the neighborhood kids, not only her grandchildren. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dolly would never forget her. She had a quick wit and story at the tip of her tongue at all times.

Dolly was involved in St George Fire Flies for many years and also participated on the St George Day’s Planning Committee.

In addition to her husband of more than sixty-five years, Dolly is survived by: five children, Lonnie W. Morton and his wife Kathy of Vinalhaven, Patricia A. Rackliff and her husband Dennis A. of Spruce Head, Lawrence C. Oakes, Jr. and his wife Betty of Spruce Head, step children Larry L. Oakes and his wife Linda of South Thomaston, and Sharon Tolman and her husband Scott of Vinalhaven; thirteen grandchildren, Amanda, Jana, Landon, Candice, Rebecca, Jennifer, Lindsey, Lawrence III, Tracy, Lori, Octavia, Tex, and Michelle; and Twenty-two great-grandchildren.

A combined graveside service for Dolly and Larry, will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, August 24, 2018, at the Ocean View Cemetery, Rt. 73, South Thomaston. To share a memory or story with Dolly’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are under the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.