Dorothy Ann Picot

Dorothy Ann Picot, 93, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025.

Dorothy was born to Charles A. Picot and Agatha DeGrace Picot on October 17, 1931 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. Dorothy spent her childhood in Stoneham, Massachusetts and graduated from St. Patrick High School.

After graduation she joined the Sisters of Providence, Terre Haute, Indiana. Dorothy earned both a Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a Master of Arts in Theology from Providence College and devoted her career to teaching. From 1952 to 1970 as Sister Gabriel, she taught in Catholic schools in Indiana, North Carolina and Massachusetts. She served as Mother Superior at both St. Ann School in Fayetteville, NC and St. Patrick School, Stoneham, MA.

After leaving the convent in 1970, Dorothy initially worked as Religious Education Consultant for the Archdiocese of Boston and for William C. Brown, text publishers.

She then served as the Director of Religious Education for St Adelaide Parish and then St Ann Parish in Peabody, MA over 27 years. It was at St Adelaide Parish that Dorothy started a Bible Study Group for the women of the parish. This group soon formed strong friendships which have continued for nearly 55 years. Dorothy cherished her friends and joined them often for monthly social gatherings and Friday morning breakfasts. She especially loved traveling with them whether to Florida, Europe or the Middle East. Dorothy's final teaching experience which she very much enjoyed was at St John's Prep School, Danvers, MA where she taught from 1987 until 1999.

During her lifetime, Dorothy was committed to social justice and she attended many marches and rallies in support of civil rights, voting rights and women's rights. She was an active member of the Voice of the Faithful.

Dorothy's family was always very important to her. She would drive to Maine never missing a holiday, wedding, graduation or family celebration. She loved to visit her brother-in-law, Don Murphy at Higgins Beach and the highlight each year was the family reunion in Bar Harbor. In 2017, Dorothy moved to Portland to be closer to her family where she delighted in following the activities of the youngest generation of nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Marjorie Picot Murphy and Jeanne Picot Lynch and her brother, Charles Picot. She is survived by three generations of loving nieces and nephews including: Elaine and Jack McMahon of Cumberland, ME; Phyllis Murphy of Sanford, ME, Casey, Dena, Taylor and Jacob Madden of Andover, MA; Dr. Amy Madden and Dr. Timothy Pieh, Tucker and Sadie Pieh of Rome, ME; Dr. Andrew McMahon, Jessica Kaiser and Declan, Riley and Lilly McMahon of Portsmouth, NH; Timothy, Jill, Finn and Henry McMahon of Portland, ME; Molly McMahon, Jack and Charlie Borland of Portland, ME; Keegan Murphy of Washington, DC, and dearest friend, Carol Agneta of Peabody, MA and many other long-time Massachusetts friends.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy's memory can be made to Life Enrichment at The Cedars, 630 Ocean Ave. Portland, ME 04103.