Dorothy A. (Hoh) Horgan was taken on Angel’s wings to join her husband, Bob, in heaven while at home in the company of family on October 21, 2023, after a period of declining health at the age of 90.
She was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, Robert V. Horgan, Sr., in 1999. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Christine, parents William E. Hoh and Blanche (Boie) Hoh, brother William Hoh, and son-in-law Jay Petros, Sr.
She is survived by her brother, Richard Hoh and his wife Pauline, her ten children and their spouses, Dr. William Horgan and wife Beth, Robert V. Horgan, Jr. and partner Kerry Tufts, Eileen Haggerty and husband David, Lawrence Horgan and wife Sue, Patricia Petros, Thomas Horgan and wife Janet, Gerald Horgan and wife Karen, Mary Aylward and husband Brian, Christopher Horgan and wife Jennifer, and Catherine Chandler and her husband Kenneth.
She is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends, especially her prayer group and members of the St. William’s Parish choir.
Dorothy was born in Lawrence, MA and graduated from Edward Searles High School in 1950. She graduated from Lowell State Teacher’s College (now part of UMass Lowell) in 1954, and went on to be a music teacher in the Kittery, ME school system for a year before returning to MA to marry the love of her life, Bob, in 1955.
She lived in Texas and Louisiana while Bob was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA before returning to Tewksbury in 1957.
Dot was a dedicated wife and mother. In addition to this she was an accomplished musician, the choir director and organist at St. William’s Church for 57 years, and even after her retirement contributed to the music ministry at St. William’s Church. She was inspired by the Holy Spirit and composed several songs during her life which she generously shared with others.
She was a dedicated parishioner at St. William’s Parish in Tewksbury, a member of the St. Williams Sodality, and in earlier years was active in the Cursillo movement and in parish retreats. With her husband she was a special friend to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and volunteered her time playing for special sing-alongs for the Tewksbury elementary schools as well as the Peregrine’s Landing Memory Care facility.
Dot’s life was centered around her family and her faith. Her greatest joy was experienced when her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were gathered around her. She also enjoyed visits with her devoted prayer group friends and members of the choir.
The family would like to give special thanks to her loving team of caregivers, especially Argentina (Tina) Villalona, Mary P., and her hospice care team from Tufts Medicine at Home, and in particular, nurses Kathy, Mary, and music therapist Paige.
Calling hours will be from 3PM-7PM on Wednesday, November 1st at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Her funeral procession will begin on Thursday, November 2nd, at 9:30AM at the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30AM at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury, MA. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury immediately following the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charities that Dorothy supported: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, Tewksbury Memorial High School Best Buddies, 320 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 or St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876.