ELLSWORTH
Dorothy W. Sparks, 93, of Sullivan and Quincy, Mass., died Jan. 6, 2019, with her family by her side. Dorothy was the much-loved wife of Harold B. Sparks. She is survived by her children Robert Sparks and his wife, Connie, of Canton, Mass., William Sparks of Colrain, Mass., and Bonnie Sparks and her husband, Hugo Diaz, of Sullivan; grandchildren Caitlin, Mikaela, Wilder, Kindred, Amanda and Georgie; great-grandchildren Isabel, Theodore, Vivian, Matilda, Angelo, Knight, Amelia, and Finley; special friend and helper Marlene Walker; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
Born in Quincy, Mass., on July 26, 1925, she was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Harold Sparks, her parents, Edward and Dorothy M. Reid, her brothers Robert, Richard and William Reid, sister Barbara Zopatti and son-in-law George Schaefer. Dorothy grew-up and lived in the Hough’s Neck section of Quincy for 78 years, until moving to Maine in 2009.
She loved her family without question, without condition; their well-being and success was her happiness. As grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived her happiness was multiplied. To her last days the presence of little ones would bring a smile to her face.
Dorothy’s tenacious spirit was forged by her role as the big sister helping to raise four siblings. As a young woman that spirit persisted, as she contributed to the WWII effort as a “Rosie” at the shipyard in Quincy. Her heart and spirit was fed by years of volunteering. She was a vital member of the Hough’s Neck Congregational Church where she served as a lifelong member of the diaconate, Christian education, choir, Mothers & Others Club, Mr. and Mrs. Club and the church Scholarship Committee. Her organizational skills extended to community service with hospice, hospital volunteer chaplaincy, Protestant Social Service Bureau, PTA and a myriad of youth organizations.
Dorothy found joy in music, nature and poetry. When she moved to Sullivan, she spent long hours at her sunny kitchen window watching her garden bloom and observing the birds at her feeder and along the shore.
A memorial service will be held this spring at the Hough’s Neck Congregational Church in Quincy. Donations in her memory can be given to the Hough’s Neck Congregational Church Building Fund, 310 Manet Ave., Quincy, MA 02169.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.