RILEY, Dorothy “Dolly” Lillian (Fata) Of the Readville section of Hyde Park, born February 18, 1933, passed peacefully on August 1, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Dolly is predeceased by her husband and best friend, the late Paul Riley. Beloved mother of William Gilmore of Hyde Park, Edward Coolbrith and his wife Maribeth of Walpole, and the late Karen Girouard. Cherished grandmother of Kristi Dowd, Kori Tamanini, Nicole Wilson, Olivia Coolbrith, and the late Jacquelyn Girouard. Adoring great-grandmother of Kiara, Sofia, Gianna, Lucia, Enzo, and Luna.
A first generation Italian-American, Dolly was born during the Great Depression and raised in the home her father built. Dolly was the youngest of 11 children to be born and raised in this home.
A graduate of Hyde Park High School, Dolly went on to become a medical assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital. It was there her love for compassionate patient care and the medical dictionary grew so much that all of her grandchildren believed she was a medical doctor!
Dolly was a friend to all. Her door and kitchen was open to everyone she loved. Dolly connected with everyone through her delicious food and endearing stories of growing up in a large Italian family. Whether she and her husband Paul were entertaining in Readville or Cape Cod, everyone was sure to have a good time. Her food, her laughter and warm embrace will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to sit at her kitchen table.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., DEDHAM, Wednesday, Aug. 4 from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Dolly’s memory to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 529 Main St., Suite #1M17, Boston, MA 02129.
At the family’s request, please wear a face mask while inside the funeral home