Dorothy A. (Combra) Maseda, a resident of Windemere Nursing Home and formerly of Vineyard Haven, died August 26 at Windemere. She was 84.

Dorothy, known by many as Dot, was a lifelong Island resident and daughter of Joseph and Ruth Combra. She attended and graduated from the Oak Bluffs High School. She worked as a dental assistant for many years before working the phones for her sister’s answering service. On Sept. 11, 1950 she married the love of her life, Dominges Maseda, known by many as Ming, who predeceased her by several years. While starting a family and raising their children, Dorothy worked for Yates Drug Store and later Leslie’s Drug Store where she was known and respected in the community.

In her youthful years Dorothy enjoyed going out to the clubs and dancing. Throughout her life she loved entertaining and spending time with her family. She loved bird watching and feeding the ducks that returned to her yard every spring. She collected everything from lighthouses and gnomes to newspapers and magazines. Dorothy traveled to the Cape often for shopping sprees at Woolworths and kept the house decorated for Christmas all year long. People often said she had a good sense of humor and they enjoyed her cooking. She found comfort in her cats Cleo and Peaches and satisfied her sweet tooth by hiding Reese’s peanut butter cups in various locations throughout the house.

She was a peaceful soul with a warm heart and lots of strength. Many times she put aside her owns needs for others. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She will be remembered for her home remedies and for many a chuckle. Dot offered her wisdom and family history lessons, which now live on in the younger generations. She was a friend, sibling, mother, grandmother, wife, and at times just a friendly acquaintance. A fond memory of her would be all she ever wanted. She was dearly loved by many and in return, that love lives on in everyone she touched. Dorothy will be remembered, missed and loved forever by many. She would want everyone to rejoice in her loss and to have happy thoughts. Dorothy will live on in all those she knew and loved; for that she’s smiling down on us today.

She is survived by her siblings Charles Combra and his wife Barbara (deceased), Warren Combra and his wife Maxine, Patricia (Jane) Maseda and her husband Antone, and Gladys Welch and her husband Neal (deceased). She is also survived by her children Sandra Risdal and her husband Raynold, the twins Preston Maseda and his wife Lori, Belinda Maseda and Jesse Steere, and Kevin Maseda and Michael Maseda. In addition she had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Kirsten Risdal, Heather Risdal Perez and her husband Antonio and their children Kylie and Kira, Theressa Risdal, Kelley Risdal and Walter Tompkins, Stephanie Andrade and her husband Timothy Rogers and their children Steven, Derek and Nicholas, Rachel Maseda Caldwell and her husband Travis and their children Rylen, Connor and Mason, Keith Maseda.

There will be a graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven on Friday, August 30, at 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of her life at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs for all who would like to pay their respects. The PA Club will be open to accept food after 9 a.m. on Friday for those who choose to bring a dish. All donations of food are appreciated but not necessary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or the Alzheimer’s Association, which can be found at alz.org. Online condolences can be expressed at ccgfuneralhome.com.