Dorothy Eileen Quint French, 84, 1934-2018

Born in 1934 in Peabody, Massachusetts, Dorothy Eileen Quint French started serving others early by serving up sweetness at the age of 14 when she scooped at Chandlers Ice Cream. Dotty lived, worked and raised her family in Peabody until she relocated to Conway, New Hampshire in 1978. She passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2018 at Merriman House in the heart of her beloved Mt. Washington Valley.

Daughter of Sarah Rachel Quint (Shaw) and Hazen Howard Quint of Peabody, Dotty is survived by her five children and their spouses, Maureen Sullivan, Michael Sullivan (Sharon), Neal Sullivan (Michelle), Janet Sullivan Twomey (Carl), and Nancy Sullivan-Dunn (Peter); brother Richard Quint and sisters Marjorie Cugno and Janice Roybal; seven grandchildren (Ian, Michayla, Quincy, Alyssa, Geoffrey, Katherine and Hazel); one great grandson (Connor) and; several nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Dotty was predeceased by her first husband, Leonard D. Sullivan, and her second husband, Harry W. French.

Having good company and being good company was always important to Dotty. She hosted open houses and backyard cookouts where all were welcome and no one left hungry or thirsty.  Those in the know could stop by at any time and share in the day's Crockpot creation, hoping for her infamous American Chop Suey: never the same twice, always perfect.  Crazy Eights, Scrabble, Cribbage, unlimited onion dip and lots of black coffee kept the conversation going. Dotty was always eager to talk politics, family lore, local happenings and her favorite topic, the accomplishments and activities of her children and grandchildren.  She thoroughly enjoyed time with her grandchildren - telling stories, singing songs, sharing laughs and passing along her love of the great outdoors.

Dotty encouraged family connections and celebrations; the annual Christmas Eve open house in Peabody attended by friends and family alike was a well-established event and in 1980 she organized the first Shaw Family Reunion - a cherished tradition that has continued in the Mt. Washington Valley for the past 38 years to the delight of hundreds of Shaw descendants who travel from New England, Prince Edward Island and beyond. She loved to be surrounded by her large family, serving meals and swapping news, but enjoyed quiet time reading legal thrillers, writing letters, and taking long walks in the fresh air.

Dotty found joy and peace in nature, especially hiking in the White Mountains, relaxing on the beaches of Prince Edward Island, or traveling with family to a number of scenic locations near and far. She was happiest in her backyard on the "French Riviera", an island of shifting sand on the Saco River reachable by a brisk swim, inner tube or her sturdy yellow canoe. She never let a fast current or cold front stop her from a swim in the Saco. When not resting, managing a household, raising children, or caring for the needs of others, especially in times of great difficulty, Dotty worked tirelessly as a secretary for the Police Department of Peabody, Badger Realty of North Conway and Multiple Listing Service of Carroll County.

A memorial service will be held Saturday Nov. 24 ^th at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA.  Her children will pay tribute to Dotty with a Mt. Washington hike next summer.  She was proud to be registered as an Independent in every presidential election so in lieu of flowers, please vote.  Donations in memory of Dotty may be made to Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine (www.vnhch.org) or Merriman House of North Conway, New Hampshire (www.MemorialHospitalNH.org).