Dorothy J. Shay

LYNN -- Dorothy J. "Dotty"? (Blaney) Shay, age 79, of Lynn, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, following a lengthy valiantly-fought illness.  She was the devoted wife of William Shay of 57 years and loving mother of Janice (Shay) Betz and her husband David Jr. of Lynn, Wendy (Shay) Ohannesian and her husband Sam of Lynn and Edwin Shay of Virginia. Dotty was the matriarch of her family and loved her children, but cherished her six grandchildren even more, David, Kayla and Cameron Betz and Jaiana, Sammy and Braeden Ohannesian, all of Lynn.   A lifelong resident of Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Alice (Desilets) Sewell and the late John P. Blaney Sr.  Dotty was a longtime employee for more than 40 years for Lynn Public Schools where she worked as the lunch and food service coordinator at the Harrington School and also worked for many years at the old Union Variety.  She was an avid Red Sox fan, drank only Pepsi and enjoyed family vacations to Walt Disney World. She loved to attend the many school events, dance recitals and sporting events for all of her beloved grandchildren.  Dorothy came from a very large and extended family. She was one of eight brothers and sisters, Barbara Carrabba, Joyce Conners, Robert Blaney and Edwin Sewell, all of Lynn, and the late Marion, Richard and John Blaney Jr. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Service information: A funeral will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Pius V Church, 215 Maple St., Lynn, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Starling Section of Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn alongside her first grandson David K. Betz III. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff at Care Dimensions Hospice and Support Service in Danvers for making Dotty's final days comfortable. Donations in Dorothy's memory may be made to her grandson's memorial scholarship: David K. Betz III, Memorial Scholarship Foundation, City of Chelsea Employee's Federal Credit Union, 500 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 or to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and online guestbook at www.solimine.com.