Dorothy Meek passed away on September 4, 2025, after a long, good life, age 92. Dorothy May Caldwell was born in Boston MA on July 21, 1933. She was the fourth of six children of Rita and Ralph Caldwell, who raised them in the Boston area, finally settling in Medford. They attended Medford Hillside Universalist Church, where Dorothy taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. After graduating from high school, Dorothy got a medical secretary degree at Mt. Ida Junior College (Newton MA).
It was at Medford Hillside that she met Alexander “Scotty” Meek, an intern from Crane Theological School, and they married in 1956. Their son Stevan was born during their time at the Orange MA church, and their daughter Sherry joined the family while at the church in Lynn MA.
In Lynn, Dorothy found her calling: working with children. Over the years she cared for countless preschoolers in the many communities her family called home. Summers included time at Ferry Beach, the UU retreat center in Saco ME, where the family built lifelong friendships and memories by the ocean.
In 1983, after raising their children in Lynn MA and Rochester MN, Dorothy and Scotty served a series of interim ministries across the country—and even one in New Zealand. They lived in places as varied as Brooklyn NY; Little Rock; Houston; Laguna Beach, and Kansas City, always returning to General Assembly, which they attended faithfully for over 50 years. They cherished the camaraderie and good friends they found there.
For fun Dorothy loved games, crafts, and puzzles. She was a master cribbage player, and the dominos inevitably fell her way. She liked all sports, and their frequent moves gave her many “home teams” to root for. For many years their home base was Sun Lakes AZ, where they enjoyed being part of their desert community. After Scotty’s death, Dorothy moved to Arlington TX to be near her son Steve and his wife Lynn. She looked forward to visits from grandchildren and daughter, Sherry.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and siblings. She is survived by her son Steve, daughter Sherry and grandchildren. As a memorial, please be kind to small children and large animals—especially giraffes. Donations in her memory can be made to Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center: 5 Boardwalk Drive, Saco ME, 04072. UURMaPA will also contribute to Ferry Beach.