Dorothy M. (Hackett) Hunt of Dartmouth died at home on Saturday February 24, 2018 after a brief period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Harry C. Hunt who died in 1987.
Born on March 25, 1919 and raised in Fitchburg, the daughter of the late John C. and Elizabeth (Flynn) Hackett, she lived in Leominster before moving to New Bedford in 1960 and later moving to Dartmouth in 1976.
She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth.
Mrs. Hunt was graduated from St. Bernard’s High School, Fitchburg in 1936. She furthered her education graduating from Fitchburg Teachers College (now Fitchburg State University) in 1941. Her first teaching position in Lancaster, MA paid $850 annually. She taught the 5th through 8th grade and was the two room schoolhouse Principal. She returned to teaching in the New Bedford School System in the mid 1960s teaching second grade at the John B. DeValles School and progressed within the system to the position of Elementary Supervisor until her retirement in the 1980s. A true lifetime learner Mrs. Hunt continued her education until she was 97 years old, taking advantage of courses offered by the Second Step program at University of Mass at Dartmouth over the last 10 years.
Over the years she was a den mother, president of the PTA, Girl Scout Leader and participated in the many varied activities that involved her children. She was a member of the Mother's Club of New Bedford, the Alcott Club, the Daughters of Isabella, and the St. Mary's Ladies Guild.
She is survived by her six children, H. Carter Hunt Jr. and his wife Susan, Falmouth, Elizabeth Houlihan and her husband William of Falmouth, Molly Carey and her husband James of Dartmouth, Dorothy "Dede" O'Rourke and her husband Michael of Arlington,VA, Shaun A. Hunt and his wife Susan of Falmouth, and Nancy M. Hunt of Dartmouth. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Daniel and Emily Houlihan of Lake Forest, IL, Michael and Mary Houlihan of Evergreen, CO, Sean Houlihan of Falmouth, William and Deborah Silvia of Braintree, Christopher and Renata Silvia of Dartmouth, H. Carter III and Tonja Hunt of Mattapoisett, Brian and Erin Hunt of Westwood, Meggan O’Rourke and Nicholas Onofrio of Seven Valleys, PA, Kathleen and Charles Cakora of Alexandria, VA, Seamus and Jeannette Hunt of Alexandria, VA, and Edward "Ned" and Abigail Hunt of Birmingham, AL; along with six step-grandchildren. She also leaves 26 great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren,
one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved grandsons, Matthew William Houlihan and Shaun Tomas Hunt, her brother, John C. Hackett, Jr. and sister, Mary K. Shaver, and her son-in-law Ralph H. Silvia.
Dorothy was lovingly cared for by the outstanding staff of Autumn Glen in Dartmouth, her home for the past 14 years. The family is appreciative of all those who cared for her. We would also like to thank the hospice team from Kindred Health along with her caregivers.
A Mass in the celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, February 28th at 10 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday February 27th from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place,
Memphis, TN 38105 or the charity of your choice. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.