CLAREMONT, NH— Dorothy “Dottie” Moog Maxfield died peacefully on Wednesday, April 9th, at her home in Claremont, New Hampshire. She was 96.
Dottie was born on January 31, 1929, in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the daughter of Alfred and Rose Moog. She was raised on her family’s farm in Mayhew Lake, Minnesota, received her early education in a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from the public high school in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. At the age of 17, she left home to pursue nursing training. She graduated from the registered nurse training program at Saint Mary’s Hospital of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She became a neurosurgical nurse supervisor at the Mayo Clinic where she was inspired by the pioneering neurosurgical work. It was there that she met Dr. Robert G. Maxfield, a young surgical fellow.
The two were married on September 12, 1953, and the following year, moved to Claremont, where Robert (Bob) established a general surgery practice which he maintained until his retirement in 1991. Dottie devoted herself to her husband and their six children, creating a home she filled with joy, comfort, curiosity, and deep affection.
Dottie was a loving and steady presence for her children. She had a remarkable way of making her children feel understood and supported. Together with her husband she taught her children and grandchildren the value of love in creating a joyful life.
She had a beautiful singing voice and was a skilled pianist. The music of Schumann, Chopin and Gershwin were part of the soundtrack for her children’s formative years. She was a voracious reader, an insatiable solver of crossword puzzles, and a joyous gardener. She loved Claremont and made a friend of everyone she met.
Dottie was predeceased by her beloved husband and her son-in-law, Robert K. Harris. She is survived by her brother, Thomas Moog (and wife, Marguerite) of Waite Park, Minnesota; and by her six children: Mary Maxfield (and partner, Rick Jurgens) of Lebanon, NH; Jim Maxfield (and wife, Ann) of Buxton, ME; Bob Maxfield (and wife, Patty) of Lebanon, NH; Margaret Katucki (and husband, Chris) of Norwich, VT; Nan Righi (and husband, Paul) of Brattleboro, VT; and Charles Maxfield (and wife, Sharon) of Durham, NC. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Joe and Rigel Harris; Harris and Elisabeth Maxfield; David and Bradley Maxfield; Tom Katucki; John, Sam, Kirtley and Bobby Righi; Charles and Jack Maxfield; and six great grandchildren.
Her family is grateful for the care provided by Candy Royce, and the watchful protection of neighbor Michael Theroux, during her final years, and for the fact that she never had to leave the home where she raised her family and lived for 68 years.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday May 2nd from 4-7 at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont. A burial mass will be held on Saturday May 3rd at 11am at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 58 Elm Street in Claremont. In lieu of flowers please consider a charitable donation to the Claremont Soup Kitchen (https://claremontsoupkitchen.wordpress.com) or charity of your choice.
