Catherine T. Dolan
October 15, 1944 - July 13, 2026
West Roxbury, MA
In loving remembrance, we announce the passing of Catherine “Grandma” Dolan, our beloved matriarch whose unwavering love enriched the lives of everyone fortunate to know her. Cathy, aged 81, spent nearly her entire life in West Roxbury and passed away peacefully, surrounded by her adoring family during one last trip to the beach.
Throughout her life, Cathy was sincere, humble, and endlessly kind. She found joy in conversation and had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel seen and welcome. Never selfish or boastful - unless she was telling you how wonderful her children and grandchildren are - she treasured life’s simple pleasures: riding her bicycle and swimming at the beach in Scituate with her five sisters as a child, ice cream, chocolate, a sweet cup of tea, Chinese take-out, collecting seaglass, Saturday morning yard sales, refinishing wood furniture, hydrangeas in bloom, pilates and other exercise routines, morning game shows and reality courtroom dramas. But above all else, Cathy found her greatest happiness in her family.
As a teenager, she met the love of her life, Barry Dolan, the man who kept her laughing for more than sixty years. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter and warmth. Their family grew to include three children, their greatest pride and joy, and later six grandchildren, each of whom Cathy adored beyond measure. Her grandchildren cherished their “Grandma”, always feeling wrapped in her unconditional love, unrelenting support, and joyful spirit.
Cathy was never afraid of hard work. She began her career doing office work in the John Hancock Building in Boston before dedicating herself to raising her children with fierce love and devotion. She later opened a small daycare in her home, creating a second family for many of the children in her care, who lovingly called her “Mommy Cathy”. When her own children reached high school and college, she began a twenty-year career as a highly respected medical support assistant at the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury. She was especially proud to share that workplace with her daughter Kelly, whose colleagues never missed an opportunity to praise Cathy’s tireless work ethic.
In retirement, Cathy and Barry divided their time between West Roxbury and Falmouth. She was happiest with the ocean nearby and her grandchildren by her side. Her family was the center of her world, and the love she gave so freely will continue to shape their lives for generations. The impact she made as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend is immeasurable.
Cathy leaves behind her devoted husband, Barry; her children, Kelly (Skinner) and her husband, Darren; Kathleen (Kosberg) and her husband, Joel; Barry Jr. and his wife, Julie; and her grandchildren, DJ, Kaitlin, Barry Raymond, David, Riley, and Sam. She was predeceased by her sisters Frances MacQueen, Margaret Lloyd, and Sheila Maloof and survived by her sisters Carol O’Loughlin and Maureen Doherty, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who will forever remember their sweet Auntie with love.
Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that her laughter, generosity, and boundless love live on in each of us. She taught us that life's greatest joys are found not in grand gestures, but in simple moments shared with the people you love. We will miss her every day, and we will carry her with us always.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 26th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Cathy’s memory to the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America at pvanewengland.org or to Journey League (Basketball League for those with Special Needs) at journeyleague.org.
“Love you more.”
https://www.pvanewengland.org/>
https://journeyleague.org/>