Dorothy A. (Gunn) Campbell, 79, of Derry, NH, died August 27, 2018, peacefully at her home, surrounded by loving family and friends. Dorothy was born in Boston, MA on October 1, 1938, the daughter of the late Percy Edward and Charlotte Emily "Dolly" (Young) Gunn. She was raised in Everett, MA and graduated from the Melrose-Wakefield School of Nursing in 1959, where she received the Dr. Ralph R. Stratton award for having best developed the ability to apply the underlying scientific principles to her nursing career and for kindness and consideration of the individual patient. She received her B.A. in Psychology from New England College in 1977 and certification in Nursing Administration from the American Nurses Association in 1984.
Early in her career, Dottie worked at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital as an instructor in Obstetrical Nursing then, as a staff nurse and relief supervisor at the Alexander-Eastman Hospital in Derry. She served as the Vice President of Patient Care services and then as Director of Patient Care Services at Parkland Medical center until her retirement in 1996 She served a term as President of the New Hampshire Organization of Nursing Executives and as a board member for the New Hampshire Coalition of Action for Nurses and the New Hampshire Hospital Association Board of trustees. In 1980, Dottie was awarded the Frist Humanitarian Award which recognizes employees who have a positive effect on other people, have made significant contributions to the improvement of patient care, whose day to day presence is dependable, consistent and people oriented and who demonstrated an unusual concern for the welfare and happiness of patients.
Dottie had wintered in Ft. Myers, Fl for 14 years following her retirement and belonged to the Gateway Golf and Country Club. She loved traveling especially, her time spent on Prince Edward Island and walking the beach in the “singing sand”. She enjoyed playing golf, eating out, and volunteered at the Lahey Parkland oncology clinic where she always had a warm smile to go with the warm blankets, muffins and coffee she served to patients. She loved to entertain and never missed “happy hour” but it was her family she treasured the most and always made them feel special and loved.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Clark. She is survived by one daughter, Tracy Lannan and her husband Stephen, one son David G. Campbell and his wife Marcia, and her four grandchildren, Brent Campbell, Eric Campbell, Rachel Lannan, Daniel Lannan and one great-grandchild, Charlotte Paige Richards.
Calling hours were held Thursday August 30, 2018 from 4 to 7pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street Derry. A funeral service was Friday at 10:00am in the First Parish Church, 47 E. Derry Rd. The burial followed in the Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to: The Friends of the Meetinghouse at First Parish, PO Box 120, East Derry, NH 03041.