Obituary of Dorothy Adler Bridges

BANGOR - Dorothy Dottie Bridges, 100, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2016. She was born in Lewiston on December 4, 1916, the daughter of Joseph Adler, a German immigrant, and Isabel Gibson Adler from Scotland. Dottie grew up in Sanford, and graduated from Sanford High School, Class of 1935. She was a member of the committee that organized class reunions which became an annual event. Dottie graduated from Bates College in 1939 with degrees in French and Latin. At Bates, she was a valuable member of the mens tennis team. Dottie also starred in the Bates Tap and Ballet Club and was Homecoming and Snow Queen. Dottie taught High School in Bowdoinham for two years until her marriage in 1941. Dottie met Don at Bates, and they moved to Montreal where Don attended medical school at McGill University. They moved to Bangor in 1950 where Dr. Bridges had the largest ob/gyn practice in the state. Don received a commendation from the Maine State Legislature for delivering over 10,000 babies, a record which may never be broken. Dottie was active in the community. She was a member of the Hammond Street Congregational Church, past president of the Junior League of Bangor, and the Good Samaritan Home. She was a member of the Medical Auxiliary, and an active volunteer at EMMC. Dot was also a room mother at Fairmount School for many years. Mom was a life-long athlete. Together her family skated at Fairmount Park, skied at Sugarloaf, rode horses, played tennis, and swam at Lucerne. Dottie was an active member of a seniors aerobics class at age 90. She helped organize the family vacation for 60 years at "God's Country", Wells Beach. Dottie loved the Celtics and the Patriots. Dot named her cat Tom Brady, and remembered the year of her grand-daughters birth because it is Gronks number, 87. Dot would want you to know that Tom was framed!! Dottie had one grand-daughter. No words can express the joy and pride she found in Christie. Christie came home for Mimis 100th birthday, and God gave them a week together. Dottie had a pure spirit. She lived her life with dignity, strength, and compassion. She loved all people with prejudice to none. She loved all animals. Dottie left the world a better place and will be missed by so many whose lives she touched. Dottie was predeceased by her lifelong love and husband, Donald, in 1988. Dot cared for her beloved son, Rob, until his death from cancer in 2008. Dottie is survived by her loving daughter and best friend, Donna Ames of Bangor and grand-daughter, Christie Ames of Duluth, Minnesota. She will be missed by Dale Reid, a caring person in her life, and her dear friend, Barbara McGraw. Dottie had a special place in her heart for her many friends at Sunbury Village and Phillips Strickland House. Family and friends may visit 2 4 PM Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A private graveside service and burial will be at a later date. For those who wish to remember Dottie in a special way, gifts may be made to the Bridges Family Student Trust c/o University Credit Union, 977 Union St., Bangor, ME 04401 or the Old Town Animal Orphanage, Airport Road, Old Town, ME 04468. Messages and memories may be shared with her family at kileyandfoley.com.