Dorothy M. Walker

Dorothy M. (Harriman) Walker, 92, of Tampa, FL and formerly of West Springfield, MA, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2017 in the presence of her loving family. Dottie was born in Brockton, MA on September 29, 1924 to the late Frederick G. and Lillian M. (Sylvester) Harriman. She grew up in Cranston, RI, and she graduated from the women’s college of Tufts University with a BS in Chemistry. After graduation, she worked as a chemist, testing and improving what was a relatively new material -- plastic.  Dottie married the love of her life, Donald F. Walker, in 1947 and soon after they moved to West Springfield where they raised three daughters.  She was active in the Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts as a Girl Scout Leader for several years, she was a member of the Tatham Women’s Club, and the Women’s Guild of Mittineague Congregational Church. Dottie lived her life with simple elegance.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and traveling throughout the country with her husband. She also enjoyed watching sports, and like her husband, she was a die-hard Red Sox fan.  She enjoyed volunteer work, playing Bridge, sewing and other crafts, and she was an avid reader. Dottie was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Donald F. Walker, who passed away in 2010. She leaves her daughters, Cheryl Walker and Cindy Walker, both of Tampa, FL, her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Jim Demas of West Springfield, MA, and six grandchildren: Alexandra and MacLean Hall, Christopher Marshall, and Kelli, Jason, and Ashton Demas. She also leaves her brother-in-law and sister-in law, Robert and Jean Walker of Longmeadow, MA, her nieces Lori Dolan and Sandy Walker, her nephew and his wife, Jim and Janette Walker, and a cousin, Carl H. Sylvester. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 10:00am at Mittineague Congregational Church, 1840 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA, followed by a service at Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA. Calling hours will be Tuesday, April 18th at the Curran Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, West Springfield, MA from 4:00 – 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.