LYME, NH — Irene Dorothy “Dottie” Pushee was born on July 26, 1939 on Pinnacle Hill in Lyme, NH to her parents, David Pushee Jr. and Florence DeGoosh Pushee. She died at her home on the N. Thetford Road in Lyme with her husband, Fred and family, on September 22, 2020.
Dottie’s early life was spent growing up with six brothers and sisters on her parents’ farm on Whipple Hill Road in Lyme. She attended Lyme Elementary School, Orford High School and later in life the Claremont Vocational Technical College where she received an associates degree in American Sign Language. Dottie worked at a number of local businesses throughout her 81 years as a resident of Lyme to include the Loch Lyme Lodge, Roger Burt Printing, Mascoma Bank, Cardmakers, Green Mountain Studios and the New Hampshire Vocational Technical Colleges as an interpreter for deaf students.
Dottie married Frederick C. Gernhard on September 2, 1957 and settled in Lyme on the N. Thetford Rd when it still crossed to N. Thetford, VT. She was surrounded by family as homes of her grandparents, mother, uncle and two siblings were within a half mile. Here Dottie and Fred raised four sons, Chris, Doug, Jerry and Tim. Home and family were Dottie’s joys. She cherished the rambunctious days of four well behaved little boys that were full of fun and who always obeyed their mother.
As their sons married and grandchildren arrived, Dottie and Fred continued to share their love with their sons’ families, scattered across the country. Traveling to new, far off and sometimes exotic locations proved to be a joy, while also offering happy memories and special times with their eleven grandchildren. One of her most enduring works was the publishing of the Pushee-DeGoosh Family History. An amazing photographic and written record of family and friends dating back to 1726 with the arrival of Gabriel Pushee, a French Huguenot, to America.
Family celebrations in Lyme were an opportunity for her to continue sharing her love. In 2017 Dottie and Fred, with children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Dottie will continue to be warmly remembered and celebrated as her name lives on with a granddaughter and two great-granddaughters that honor her with their names, Samantha Irene, Eleanor Irene and Carleigh Irene. Dottie is survived by her husband Fred, her sisters Joan and Mae, her sons and those who love her.
She will be missed and fondly remembered.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit, www.rand-wilson.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.