Dorothea Lemoine

November 11, 1942 - January 26, 2019

Dorothea “Dolly” Lemoine concluded a life “well lived” at the age of 76 passing away peacefully on January 26th, 2019 at the Halcyon House in Methuen, MA. The youngest of four children born on 11 November 1942 in Frankfurt Germany, Dorothea Buchbauer was a war child who came of age during a period of time under the most difficult circumstances. She and her two older sisters Gisela and Minnie and brother Freddy all under the wing of their mother found much strength and resolve in her family all forming tight bonds in order to survive the aftermath of war. In 1961 Dolly met James “Jimmy” Lemoine a handsome U.S Army Sergeant stationed at Camp King, Germany and had a love affair that lasted 52 years of marriage and beyond. Settling in Methuen for many years, Dolly and Jimmy raised their son Brooke and worked hard to provide a home which Dolly took great pride in taking care of inside or out in the gardens. Employed as a Quality Control Inspector for the Gillette Co. in Andover, MA, Dolly retired in 1998 after 23 years. A passionate long distance runner, Dolly was a member of the Merrimack Valley Striders and competed in numerous local road races and marathons to include the Boston Marathon which she completed several times. An often sight would be her beloved Jimmy patiently waiting by the finish line for her to cross; usually with an umbrella in hand and the car warming up. Dolly enjoyed talking about her various road races and showing off to her grandchildren the many metals and trophies awarded over the years. Following retirement, Dolly and Jimmy became known as “The Snow Birds”, spending six months of the year in Salem, NH and the other “good six months” in Naples, Fla. They both traveled frequently usually landing on some sundrenched island enjoying their golden years together. Dolly of course had to run a half marathon while in Hawaii. After Jimmy’s passing in 2013 and into her 70s, her memory failed to keep up with her very stubborn determination to chart her own course from the awful disease of Dementia. She will always be remembered for her smile and quip humor throughout her life, and even through periods of illness. Dolly is survived by her son Brooke Lemoine and his wife Jennifer of Merrimack, NH, and her two grandchildren Matthew and Kendra also from NH. There are no calling hours. There will be a memorial service at the family's discretion. The family wishes to thank those who have extended care and emotional support for Dolly during her final days at the Halcyon House in Methuen, MA.