Mrs. Dorothy Wilson Bailey was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1909, to the late William and Lillian Serrington. She was their only child. She moved to West Medford at an early age and completed her education in the Medford Public School system. She furthered her education by attending Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse, specializing in caring for new born babies. She was also employed by Boston Lying-In Hospital and Dr. Charles Schlosberg of Boston. Mrs. Bailey was one of the first nurses to assist in the patients at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in Boston, where 492 people perished. She married the late Gordon Bailey, a West Indian from Barbados and they resided in Cambridge.
In 1967, Mrs. Bailey moved to Albany, New York to take care of her mother. She became a member of the Israel A.M.E. Church and served as president of the Senior Missionary Society. She was a board member of the following organizations: Capital Area Council of Churches; Albany United Methodist Society; and Senior Citizens Services of Albany. She was the Treasurer of Church Women United; Lay Chaplain at the Albany Medical Center and Chairperson of the Community Services Committee of the AARP. She was also recognized for her volunteer work with the American Red Cross Blood Bank. In 1983, after her mother passed away, Mrs. Bailey returned to West Medford. She moved to Allston Street into the newly built Senior Citizens housing building. She joined Shiloh Baptist Church and served as a Deaconess; became an active member of Church Women United; the Women’s Federation White Cross Committee; Vacation Bible School; the Bi-Weekly Food Pantry and Women of Faith Ministry. At Shiloh Baptist Church, she is affectionately called “Mother Bailey”.
Since 1983, Dorothy Bailey has been a loyal and devoted member of the John J. Smith Chapter #3 Order of Eastern Stars. She became Worthy Matron in 1941 and served in the Grand Chapter as Grand Adah and Grand Electra. On March 13, 1994, Dorothy Bailey was honored as the “oldest” living member of the John J. Smith Chapter # 3 by the Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Stars, jurisdiction of Massachusetts at their 50th Golden Anniversary. She was the proud recipient of an engraved silver tray. On June 14, 1997, Dorothy Bailey was again honored at the 75th Anniversary and Scholarship Award Banquet of the John J. Smith Lodge # 14 for devoted services.
On April 28, 2007, at the young age of 96, Mother Bailey was one of many who was honored as Matriarch for her long years living and contribution to the West Medford Community. Several years ago, a room at Shiloh Baptist Church was dedicated as “Dorothy Bailey’s First Aid Room” and she has had the distinction of being the oldest loyal member of Shiloh Baptist Church. In 2007, due to health issues, Dorothy Bailey moved to the Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center. At Glen Ridge, she was solely responsible for the Protestant Church Services which are held once a month, led by Interim Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. Gordon C. O’Neal, Jr.
Mother Bailey was not blessed with children of her own, but had several godchildren; Melinda Nenninger and Michael Caprioglio. She will be sorely missed and leaves to mourn her loss; Dearest friends, Peter and Carolyn Caprioglio; Caretaker, Jo Ann Tyler; her Shiloh Baptist Church family and a host of friends and acquaintances.
Her funeral service was celebrated in the Shiloh Baptist Church, corner of Holton and Bower Streets, on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at 11 AM. Many relatives and friends were in attendance. Visitation was held at the church, prior to the service, from 10 to 11 AM. Interment was held in Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree. Arrangements were entrusted to the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Medford. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.