Dorothy Ellen (McGowan) McCormack, of Foxboro formerly of Dedham and Walpole. Age 93, passed away peacefully to eternal life on October 24, 2024. She was born in Boston on August 7, 1931 to William and Dorothea (King) McGowan. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and treasured memories. She drew her strength from her Catholic faith.
Dottie began school in Dorchester and graduated from Hyde Park High School. She was an avid reader, enjoyed studying history and loved having great discussions about the world with her father and family.
She met the love of her life, James (Lindy) Patrick McCormack. They met attending daily Mass. They were married on February 4, 1951. They had six children within ten years: three boys and three girls. She loved being a mother and was always an advocate for her family.
Her beloved husband James passed away far too young. Although the years after his passing were difficult, Dottie persevered courageously making a life for her and her family. She studied at UMass Boston to become an addiction counselor. In the following years, she worked at Southwood Community Hospital helping countless people recover from their addictions. It was a work she truly loved.
She used her artistic abilities writing little poems and beautifully decorating her home with art and plants. Her “green thumb” was evident in the beautiful flowers outside her home too. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling, especially her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Before she moved to assisted living, she was a daily communicant at St. Mary’s Church in Foxboro. She cherished all the friends she made there and drew comfort and strength being part of the parish family.
Dottie is survived by her loving children, Mary Burton, her husband Dave of Dedham MA, Eileen Ponich, her husband Leonard of Savannah, GA, Michael McCormack, his wife Sara of Abilene, TX, James McCormack, his wife Mary of Woburn, MA, William McCormack of Foxboro, MA, the late Linda Abely, her husband Paul of Carver, MA, six cherished grandchildren and nine beloved great-grandchildren, her sister Eileen Kallenberg, her husband Carl of Spring Hill, FL, her brother John (Jack) McGowan, his wife Susan of London, England, her sister, the late Catherine Rudy, her husband, the late Joseph Rudy of Clearwater, FL. and many nieces and nephews.
Dottie’s family is deeply grateful for her long life, her witness of courage and perseverance and the faith passed on by their parents. They are grateful for the good care she received at Cornerstone in Canton, The Ellis in Norwood and especially from the loving staff of Sunset Hospice in Middleboro at the end of her life.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham on Monday, Oct. 28 from 8:30-10:15am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 25 Avery St., Dedham, MA 02026.