LYNCH, Dorothy (O’Brien) Age 93½. Latterly of Norwell, longtime Jamaica Plain resident. Died April 27, 2023, at the Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley. Born October 22, 1929, Dorchester, MA. Married Eddie (deceased) April 19, 1954.
Arriving in the world the same month as the Great Depression, one could say there was nowhere to go but up for wee Dottie O'Brien. And up she went. Through marriage to Eddie, seven children, seventies fashions that fortunately suited her down to the ground, and that rather marvelous gray streak she sported in her hair, things did continue on the up. Despite inheriting that old black Rambler—while not in possession of a driver's license—she cruised on through the decades in a succession of classic cars (classic now, at least.) She drove the family down to those summer holidays in Marshfield which only in retrospect must have been harrowing. Seventies became eighties became nineties and so on and JP became Norwell, and up took on a different but no less wonderful aspect. Lunches with Christina at Friendly's or Strawberry Fair. Quilting Circle. Everything and everyone at the Norwell Council on Aging.
Faith was a constant and a passion for her entire life. The customs and practices of Catholicism were more than simple routine to her. From dawn rosaries to 6:45am Mass daily at Blessed Sacrament Church right through to regular communion the last four years at ESR, there was no gap, no falloff, in her devotion to every rule and stricture of it all. Except possibly the no swearing thing. Still, there was one baddie she resisted using ever, except on underperforming TV meteorologists.
When the end finally arrived, Dottie was in the best possible place, under the watch of the caring staff at the Elizabeth Seton residence and Care Dimensions Hospice. They made the latter days of her earthly life as blessed as they could have been.
Dot is survived by her beloved brother, Al O’Brien, of Houston, TX, as well as 19 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. Her children, EJ, Brian, Dolly, Meg, Chris, and Jeannie will gather to see her off.
Her sorely missed son, Marty, will be there to receive her. Turns out Marty’s passing was less a case of great misfortune. He was, as usual, just one step ahead of everybody else. Lucky him. Godspeed to you both.
Visiting hours at William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury on Tuesday, May 2nd from 9 – 11am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Theresa Church at 11:30am. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment New Calvary Cemetery.