Dorothy M. Gillespie, R.N., beloved by all who knew her for her kindness, compassion and sense of humor, died Wednesday, Dec. 21. She was 95 and a longtime Londonderry, N.H., resident until a recent move to the Bedford Falls assisted living facility.
She was the wife of the late Gerald M. Gillespie, a sergeant with the Londonderry Police Department whose officers knew her as "Mrs. G.," much to her delight.
Dorothy was a true coal miner's daughter. She was born in Duryea, Penn., on Aug. 19, 1927, a daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Gowlis) Mazurkivich. She graduated from Leavenworth High School and St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing, both in Waterbury, Conn.
Dorothy worked as a registered nurse in hospitals in Waterbury and Bridgeport, Conn., as well as in Manchester and Nashua. She had also worked in physician’s offices, a school of nursing, and did some industrial nursing.
Dorothy was a long-time volunteer in the office at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church in Londonderry, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of the "Monday Morning Ladies" as they counted the weekend collection offerings. Her faith was a quiet and genuine comfort to her.
Her family was the main joy in her life. She was very devoted to them all, and cooking for them, especially holiday menus, was one of her favorite activities. At Christmas and Easter, she kept Lithuanian traditions alive with special foods and activities. All Dorothy ever wanted for her birthday each year was to see everyone in person, preferably all at once. She was also a fan of reading, word puzzles, and meteorology.
She is survived by a daughter, Mary Helen Gillespie of Londonderry; four sons, Edward G. (Annie) Gillespie of Wolfeboro, N.H.; Daniel M. (Karen) Gillespie of Manchester, N.H.; Timothy F. (Charlotte) Gillespie of Derry, N.H; and Michael J. (Brenda) Gillespie of Londonderry; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her brother, Anthony Paul Mazurkivich of Waterbury, Conn., and a special niece, Carol A. Mazurkivich of Waterbury, Conn. Dorothy is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Arthur Mazurkivich and the late John Mazurkivich.
She was predeceased by her husband in 2017. Known affectionately by their children as "Dort and Ger," the happy couple thrived side-by-side in their family room reading newspapers, watching sports and laughing at reruns of favorite comedies, plus "Jeopardy" and "NCIS."
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mark's Church, 1 South Road, Londonderry. Burial will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Gilcreast Road, Londonderry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). Her heart was as big as the sky, not even ill health could alter her caring nature.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the employees of Catholic Medical Center, Bedford Falls and Brookhaven Hospice for the incredible care Dorothy received while her journey home had begun.