Patricia Jean (Rosata) Dolan (“Pat”), 82, a longtime Millis resident, passed away on January 9, after a long illness, leaving an empty space in the hearts of her loved ones.
Born and raised in Hyde Park and later Dedham, Pat attended Cardinal Cushing Central High School for Girls in South Boston, where she earned top marks, but surprisingly was never voted “Most Mary-Like” (a puzzling oversight). She was born to Mary Jane (MacQuarrie) and Joseph Rosata, sadly losing her mother to breast cancer when she was 12. Her father remarried to Catherine (Gillis, Quilty) Rosata and Pat gained a wonderful mother and two incredible siblings.
Pat was married to her husband Thomas (“Tom”) Dolan for nearly 55 years, until his death in 2023. They met one night at a Boston College party and Tom showed up at her door the following day to ask her out. Pat had the patience of a saint and was widely acknowledged to be the nicest person in Massachusetts. Her Boston accent was soft and lovely (impossible but true). It is believed she only raised her voice once in anger in 1980 when her children refused to exit a pool. She looked great in hats and was an exceptional driver. People complimented her curly silver hair at airports across the country. She was the long-serving secretary for the Arts & Sciences Honors Program at Boston College.
Pat is survived by her three children and their spouses, Megan Dolan and Eric Duggan of Chelmsford, Brendan and Noreen Dolan of Milton, and Caitlin and Chris Robillard of Brookline; her six beloved grandchildren Teddy, Tucker, Scarlett, Nina, Brenna, and Camille; her sister Kathy Woolley; her lifelong friend Mary Somers; and scores of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the dedicated team at NewBridge On The Charles Memory Care who cared for Pat with skill and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Pat’s memory to support dementia care and research at https://giving.hebrewseniorlife.org/site/Donation
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St, Dedham on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 8:30-9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:00am (accessible parking in the rear of the church). Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park. Friends are invited to attend a reception celebrating Pat’s life from 11:30am–2:30pm at Grazina, 83 Morse Street, Suite 4F, Norwood.