ROCKLAND — Dorothy Patten Curtis died peacefully on April 25, 2016, at the Sussman House in Rockport. She was born Oct. 19, 1929, and christened Dorothy Ellen Patten, to Foner Reed Patten and Beatrice Waltz Patten in Richmond.

She graduated valedictorian from Richmond High School in 1947 and proceeded to the University of Maine, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in French in 1951. In the course of her teaching career she also attended the University of Vermont, Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vt., and the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, Vt., earning her teaching certificate in special education.

She taught in the following high schools: Casco and Mapleton; Newport, Vt.; and Rockland. In this latter school she was a state employee with the Maine Migrant Education Program for children, under the age of 22, who move out of economic necessity with or as a worker in temporary or seasonal employment in the fields of agriculture or fishing.

In the summer of 1952 she met Alton Lee Curtis of East Stoneham, as they both were attending school at University of Maine at Orono. That fall they taught at Casco High School, dating through September. By October they were engaged and married on Dec. 19, 1952, in Richmond. In the course of their teaching careers they moved a number of times, and on five of these occasions, the move was punctuated by the birth of another child. Her husband of 40 years predeceased her in 1993.

Dorothy was a member of the Rockland Congregational Church, where she served on the Christian Education Board, the Missions Board and the Board of Deacons. She served on community fund drives and was a past volunteer for the Area Interfaith Outreach Program and the Penobscot Bay Medical Center. She was also a past member of the American Field Service Program, chairing the host selection committee.

Surviving her are three sons, Foner and his wife, MaryLou, of Rockland, Warren and his wife, Leslie, of Lincolnville, John and his wife, Anna, of Riverview, Fla.; two daughters, Ellen of Camden and Mary of Owls Head; her brother-in-law, Ivan and his wife, Susan; her grandchildren, Jenn, Danny, Kyle, Kayla, Robby and Spencer; her great-grandchildren, Haley, Brayden and Evan; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m. at Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock St. in Rockland, with the Rev. Seth D. Jones officiating. Private interment will be at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn.

At her request, please, no flowers. Memorial gifts may be made in Dorothy's name to the American Diabetes Association of New England, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. Those who prefer to donate locally may do so to those groups she routinely supported: MCH Meals on Wheels, 39 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841; the AIO Food Pantry, 70 Thomaston St, Rockland, ME 04841 or the Sussman House, c/o PenBay Healthcare, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.