Dorothy Mae Gaines

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Dorothy H. Gaines, 77, of Great Falls, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from complications after surgery, her loving family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY April 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home.

A New Year’s baby, born January 1, 1945, in Dillon, MT to Ross A. and Francis Nadine (Eberline) Harkness, Dorothy attended local schools, graduating from Beaverhead High School and earning two bachelor’s degrees in English and Science from Western Montana State in Dillon.  She would go on to teach in Turner, was a nurse’s aide in Dillon, a doctor’s assistant for Dr. Daniel Udaily, a medical tech and laboratory director for Dr. John McGreager and a ward secretary at Columbus Hospital.  She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and although she suffered, she never let that slow her down. 

A traveler at heart, Dorothy cruised the Hawaiian Islands, enjoyed a fall foliage tour back East, steamboated on the Mississippi, toured Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England and visited Canada. A talented musician, she was an accomplished piano and clarinet player, blessed with a beautiful voice and would sing at weddings, funerals and other events.  Her love of music and travel lead her to travel to see plays and musicals, visiting Calgary for “Jesus Christ Super Star” to see Ted Neiley as Judas, to Edmonton for “Phantom of the Opera”, saw “Cats” in Spokane, and to Vegas for the “Starlight Express”.

Dorothy’s talent also included being an artist of 706 Studio, specializing in pastels and oils, she was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Mae Carol Theater Troupe, a member of Center Stage and a published writer of poetry and short stories.

She is survived by her sister, Billie Brackett; brother, James Harkness; special friend to the family, Linda Sue Thompson; niece, Teresa Simpson; great niece, Kristina (Zach) Dillon and their daughter, Cassandra Dillon; nephews, Andrew Simpson, Kevin Wolfe, Dylan Gates; great nieces & nephews, Frank Hight, Fred Hight, Deanne Holt, Daniel Duncan, William Duncan and numerous other great nieces and nephews.

Those who have preceded her in death include her parents, Ross and Nadine Harkness; sister, Lila Jean Hight; great nephew, William Hight; niece, Jeannie Duncan.

Donation can be made in Dorothy’s name to PBS in Missoula, Great Falls Public Library, or to your local animal shelter.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com

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