Dorothy Ann Stuart

Dorothy Ann (Dolan) Stuart, 90 years old, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 17, with her eldest son, Michael, at her bedside. Her 6 children gathered to provide comfort in her final weeks, with ample time to say goodbye and ensure she understood the profound love and gratitude they had for her and her loving capacity as a mother. Her family's hearts are heavy but simultaneously grateful knowing she is reunited with her husband, Bob, whom she missed terribly since his passing 4 years ago.
Despite being a wee Irish lass, who weighed in at a mere 90 pounds, she was hearty and resolute. She insisted on hanging out the laundry to dry, making homemade tomato sauce for the weekly pasta dinners, driving solo to Maine in the old station wagon with 6 kids, a dog, and a cat, learning to bake bread as a newlywed, finding time to be a soloist in the church choir, restoring antique furniture and volunteering in service to both the old and young. She never wavered in the face of Bob's crazy ideas such as acquiring numerous wooden boats, skiing with the entire family, traveling the globe, hosting elaborate dinner parties, and participating in Drowned Hog Day to raise money for charity.
Summers after 1974 were in Boothbay Harbor Maine, at Juniper Point. The Stuart Little cottage was filled with friends, family, neighbors, and visitors. Dorothy prepared meals to feed any hungry bellies around, nursed skinned knees and broken bones, endured teenage angst, attended lobster bakes, tennis matches, bake sales, and went sailing when Captain Bob thought the weather was "just right." She could often be found basking in the sun reading a book by the glorious flower garden created by her youngest son, Daniel, visiting with her beloved friends Bunny Gagne, Mary McCormick, and Anne Dooley, and always listening to classical music on the ancient stereo in the cottage.
She and Bob enjoyed outings and travel after the children launched, attending lectures in Cambridge, operas in NYC, plays and performances in London; they visited Europe, Morocco, St Petersburg, Vietnam, and Cambodia, among others.
A child of the Depression, she was thrifty and careful with money. A true joy later in life was the Wellspring Thrift Shop where she volunteered, made friends, helped customers, and took home any clothing small enough to fit. She loved few things as much as purchasing a holiday or birthday gift for friends and family from the thrift shop.
Born in February of 1934, Dorothy was raised primarily in Foxboro and Newton. She was the youngest child of Timothy and Enid (Laffie) Dolan. She was preceded in death by her older brother, John "Jack" C. Dolan.
She trained as a nurse with her lifelong friend, Ruth Galante. Through a theatre production, she met her husband, Bob, as did Ruth, who met her husband at the same production. Their families shared escapades and adventures over the years. A great sorrow in her early 20s, she lost their first child, Christopher, to cancer at 2 years of age. How she managed to continue is a mystery, but she turned her energy to raising her brood with grace and love and delighted in meeting her grandchildren and, more recently, her great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at South Shore Hospital who provided tender, supportive, and compassionate care throughout her stay. She is survived by her children Michael Stuart, Mary Stuart, David Stuart, Jayne Stuart, Daniel Stuart and Anne Moser and their spouses, as well as 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A private family ceremony to celebrate her life is planned at Second Parish in Hingham in late April.