01/04/2026
Dorothy Louise Gaouette
Lincoln, RI - Dorothy Louise (Bailey) Gaouette, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, after a short illness with dementia.
Dorothy, fondly known as Dot or Dottie, was born in Rumford, Rhode Island, just as the Great Depression began. Her parents, Ross and Nina Bailey, rented a duplex in the Phillipsdale section of East Providence, where she spent much of her childhood.
Though her parents had hoped for a boy named Jimmy, God had a sense of humor and gave them Dorothy – a spirited, strong-willed, adventurous tomboy who rarely sat still. She was “an accident waiting to happen” and usually did. Encouraged by her father, who told her she could do anything and be anyone she wanted and grew up believing exactly that. She loved sports, riding bicycles, school, and horses, and gathered a circle of friends she often led on one adventure after another.
Her family moved to Cumberland, Rhode Island, in her teen years, where she attended high school and graduated. Soon after, she married Clinton M. Gaouette, with whom she shared a devoted marriage of 72 years until his passing. Together, they raised five children, a busy, challenging, and joy-filled chapter of her life. Even with such a full household, she worked part-time well into her 70s, always finding ways to contribute and stay active.
Dorothy had a love of sewing, crafts, choir, church work, and reading, but most of all, she loved to go. Whether it was a short outing, an overnight trip, or a weeklong adventure, she delighted in traveling and experiencing life to the fullest. She adored theatre and music, and she found deep joy in sharing her passions with her family.
Her children were her pride and blessing, even if raising five came with its fair share of challenges, laughter, and stories best left untold. To her grandchildren, she was Grandma Dot, Gram, or Grammy, and she cherished each one dearly. She loved taking them to places, introducing them to new experiences, and encouraging them to be their very best.
Her faith was central to her life. She prayed daily for her family, always asking that each one would know Christ and place God first in every situation. For her, being a wife was a calling, being a mother was a joy and responsibility, and being a grandmother was a pure delight.
Dorothy is survived by four of her seven children: Barbara Harkins and her husband Dudley Harkins, Nina Shepard and her husband Gerald Shepard, Joyce Gaouette, and Paul Gaouette and his wife Christine Gaouette.
She was preceded in death by three of her children: Catherine Grant and her husband Robert G. Grant, Clinton Gaouette, Jr. and Christine Gaouette.
Dorothy was the proud grandmother of Kevin Grant, Renee Simonin, Robert Harkins, Corey Gaouette, Caitlyn Hendricks, Kellie Issler, and the late Christopher Grant. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Chandler, Kylee, Sebastian, and Ethan, each of whom brought her great joy.
Dorothy will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, her faith, her deep commitment to her family and friends, and the countless memories she created with those she loved most. While dementia may have dimmed some of her memories in recent years, it never erased the essence of who she was – a caring, kind, strong individual with a warm heart. The family will forever cherish the memories of her life before the disease and find comfort in knowing she is at peace.
SERVICES will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7 p.m. at WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Interment will be private.
VISITATION will be held prior to the service from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Research Foundation 620 Sea Island Road, Suite 324 St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
www.TrippFuneralHome.com
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