Boscawen-----Dorothy Ann Davidson Judkins Stone, 75, of Merrimack County Nursing Home, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia following a long period of failing health. She was born in Berlin, NH on June 24, 1931, daughter of Leon M. and Allegra (Nelson) Davidson Shepard. Dorothy "Dot" graduated from Berlin High School, Class of 1949. Following graduation, she attended nursing school in Laconia, NH.
During her life, Dorothy had an opportunity to travel as an employee of "Carson and Barnes Circus" and she lived in many states from coast to coast. She lived in Maine, New Hampshire, California and Oklahoma and traveled to almost all of the other states. Dorothy loved to travel. She loved to see new places and meet new people. She was known for her quick wit and loved a good joke. She loved music and loved to dance. Dot had a creative talent for working with her hands and a vivid imagination. She enjoyed sewing, carving, wood burning, cooking. painting, drawing and writing, and spending time with her family. She read incessantly. She was very proud of her greatest accomplishments which she considered were her five children, nursing degree, creative talents and "running away to join the Circus."
Although she had a wide range of jobs she enjoyed, she loved the time that she lived, traveled, and worked with the Circus. She ran the "Circus tee shirt stand" that sold tee shirts, patches, banners, programs and route books, posters, hats, pencils and Dot's creation of "magic gold rocks." Dorothy loved to talk to the children and they loved her magic gold rocks which she sold for a quarter each. When a child would ask her, "Are they really, really gold rocks? she would answer, "They are real rocks with real gold paint. And, every time you look at it you can remember the day you went to the Circus.”
She was predeceased by her two ex-husbands; Kendrick R. Judkins who died April 1, 1971, and Henry S. Stone who died January 9. 2004, and one grandson, Christopher S. Sweetser who died in August, 1978.
She is survived by her five children; Dorcas Janos-Hill of Franklin, NH, Deborah J Judkins and partner, Eduardo Arenas, of Northfield, NH, James K Judkins of Rio Hondo, TX, Donna Tourigny and her husband, Normand, Jr., of Sanbornton, NH. and Jennie A Kaspar and her husband, Michael, of Long Beach, CA.; her sister, Louise Davidson Redgate, of Wilmington, MA., and three cousins (whom she loved like sisters), Janice Eastman of Gorham, NH, Sonja Godbout of Phillips, ME, and Rosalie Thomas of Berlin, NH. Other survivors include 12 loving grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
According to Dorothy's wishes, there will be no calling hours A memorial service and celebration of life will be held later (no date has been set).
In lieu of flowers, Dorothy requested memorial contributions be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Central NE Chapter. 101 A First Ave, Suite 6, Waltham. MA 02451-1115.
The Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia is in charge of the arrangements.
