Dorothy M. (McHale) Haley of Woburn passed away Friday, January 31 at the age of 91.
Dot, or Ma as family knew her, grew up in Stoneham, MA. After graduating from Stoneham High School, she attended business school. She worked at Bear Hill Country Club and as an administrative assistant at North Central Warehouse.
She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas J. Haley. After marrying, she and Thomas moved to Woburn where they raised a family of six.
A consummate knitter, Dot perfected the homemade Irish knit. Generations of newborns in the Haley family have photos wearing one of her trademark sweaters. During her time as a member of the St. Joseph’s Women’s Club people would show up early to the annual Christmas Bazaar for a chance to purchase Dot’s knitted mittens. The feat most appreciated by her grandchildren, however, was the thirteen snow outfits she knitted for their Cabbage Patch kids.
Dot also enjoyed baking. Her specialties, apple pie, peanut butter cups, and lemon squares, were the most requested dishes for family parties and holidays.
Dot spent time with dear friends, and enjoyed their annual getaway to Maine. She also looked forward to her frequent trips to Mohegan Sun with friends and family members. She also spent a great deal of time at the Senior Center in recent years, line dancing and swapping books.
A proud Irishwoman, Dot had a penchant for Irish culture and music. She traveled to the Emerald Isle once as a child and again in her later years.
Dot found solace in reading a good book, completing crossword puzzles, watching the Red Sox, and spending time with her great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Thomas M. Haley and his wife Carol, Joan Severance and her husband Robert, Paul Haley and his wife Patricia, Dorothy Finlayson and her husband Kenneth, all of Woburn; Dr. John Haley and his partner Monique Milliard of Greenfield, NH; and Mary Lynch and her husband Patrick of Centerville, MA. She was also the cherished grandmother to Thomas P., Bridget, Michael, Mark, Paul, Daniel, and Joseph Haley; Kari Tarr, Katherine Doherty, Chad Severance, Abby Gillis, Meghan Peterson, Conor and Brendan Lynch, and Scott and Molly Finlayson. She was sister of the late Jack, Harold, Francis, Joseph, and Shirley McHale, and Theresa Fereshetian. Great-grandmother to Tyler and Britney Tarr, Dylan, Isla, and Willow Haley, Evelyn and Colin Gillis, Will and Jack Severance, Haley Doherty, and Taylor and Cameron Miller. Further survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will remember Dot’s wit and generous heart. Even those not related by blood felt like family in her presence. She will be greatly missed, but remembered in the many stories created and the love shared.
Funeral from the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. WOBURN, Tuesday at 9 AM. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 4 thru 8. Interment to be announced. Anyone wishing to make a donation please choose a charity of your choice.