Dorothy "Suzie" McCormick Obituary (1932

ROCKPORT - Dorothy May McCormick, 92 of Rockport, passed peacefully at the home her beloved husband, Jack, built for her, surrounded by family on March 21, 2025. Suzie, as she was known to her friends and family, was born on May 3, 1932 in Greenwich, CT to parents Harold and Frances (Bing) Lamkin. She graduated from Greenwich High School in 1950. Growing up, she would often travel to her paternal grandparents' farm in Wilton, ME. On one of these visits, she was introduced to a handsome young gentleman named John 'Jack' McCormick, Jr. It was an instant connection and, in the end, a love story for the ages. Suzie always said, "she chased him until he caught her." Jack and Suzie were married on July 8th, 1952 at Travis Air Force Base in California. They welcomed their first child, Bonny, while still stationed there. They were then moved to Idaho and eventually moving back to Maine so Jack could earn his civil engineering degree at University of Maine, Orono. In addition to Bonny, over the next eleven years they welcomed seven more children: John 'Scott,' Patricia, Kathleen, Christopher, Jeffery, Kevin and Karen. Suzie and Jack settled their family on a lovely farm off South Union Rd in Union, ME. She was a strong, loving and hardworking mother who had room at her table for any additional friends or family members. She would always instruct her children to "dip accordingly" to accommodate the frequent extra guests. She took great pride in making many of the families' clothes, putting her seamstress talents to good use. She started and led the first 4H club in Union, called the Union Highlighters. While still having a five-year-old at home, she successfully ran for a seat in the Maine State Legislature. She served two terms in the 105th and 106th Legislatures. Jack and Suzie started several successful businesses over the course of their marriage, including J.S. McCormick & Associates: Construction and Engineering and their store, Woodworks, both in Rockport. Suzie could master anything she tried: she sold real estate, and beauty products, and was a talented artist and crafter. She loved to travel and could be ready to leave at the drop of a hat. Jack nicknamed her "Roadrunner." They both fondly recalled packing seven of their children into a small motorhome and taking a cross-country road trip from Maine to California and back. She also loved their trips to Canada, China, Australia, Germany, Scotland, Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal among many others. Always one to give back to her community, she served on several committees, boards, and civic organizations including: The Camden Hospital committee, The Union Women's Community Club, The Union Extension Association, Mount Pleasant Grange, was an active member of Zonta International and other local political organizations. Jack and Suzie were longtime parishioners of the Catholic churches in Rockland and Camden. Suzie and Jack were devoted grandparents to their 23 grandchildren. They would make sure to attend as many sporting events, concerts and graduations as possible. In her later years, Suzie cherished visits from her 35 great-grandchildren. She could always rock any baby to sleep. Memories of Suzie will be fondly cherished by her children and their spouses, Bonny and Chris Hadiaris, Scott and Kristin McCormick, Pat and Scott Graffam, Kathy and Steve O'Brien, Chris McCormick, Jeff McCormick and Karen McCormick; she will also be missed by her 22 grandchildren, Nicole, Adam, Nicholas, Dustin, Derek, Bailey, Lacey, Stephanie, Meghan, Molly, Jennifer, Colby, Briana, Kyle, Katrina, Shane, Evan, Alexander, Emily, Grace, Michael and Lilian. Her 35 great-grandchildren; her brother Charles Lamkin; her sisters-in-law, Minnie McCormick and Rosemary McCormick; her God-Daughter Kerry Ann Flahive; and many special nieces and nephews. She was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Jack; her infant son Kevin; her infant granddaughter Tara O'Brien; sister Barbara Knowles; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Patricia Lamkin, Granville Knowles, George "Bud" McCormick, William "Ross" McCormick, Dee McCormick, Noreen and John Pillsbury, Marie and Roland Day. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 31, 2025 at Our Lady of Good Hope, 7 Union Street, Camden. Suzie will be laid to rest privately beside her beloved husband at West Rockport Cemetery. Suzie never liked wearing the color black so please come in your brightest, spring best. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of the love of Suzie's life, Jack McCormick, to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.2d:{"dateTime":"2025-03-31T13:00:00","co