Published January 4, 2019
MELROSE — Dorothy (Dottie) May Goddard, 91, died peacefully on December 20, 2018 at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born in 1927 in Chelsea, the daughter of the late May and John Goddard who predeceased her. She moved to Melrose with her parents when she was in fifth grade, and has lived here ever since. Dottie graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1945. She was a devoted life-long member of St. Mary’s Church in Melrose, and a regular at the 4 p.m. mass attending with her dear friend, Marge Dugas, who passed away last year, and Ellen Hutchins, another friend who drove them. They would always sit in the same pew for mass. She will be remembered for her strong beliefs in God and family, sense of humor, being a good and caring friend to all who knew her, and always having a positive attitude.
She worked at Hanover Insurance Company in Boston for almost 50 years as a clerk typist. During her working years, she enjoyed traveling domestically and also with special trips to Europe, Bermuda, and Hawaii. She was an avid knitter, donating her time and talent making baby outfits and blankets for the Knitting Connection. She loved doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, and keeping in touch with her many friends and relatives. She enjoyed a special celebration on her 91st birthday which also happened to be the day before she was admitted to the hospital. She loved volunteering at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital. She volunteered there for over 25 years and continued to work up until her recent illness. She was beloved by all who worked with her.
Dottie loved cats and all animals. Buzz was her adored family dog many years ago. More recently she found great company with her current gray tabby cat named Tami. Dottie and her mother hosted many of the family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by cousins Frank Goddard and his wife Bonnie from Leominster, John Goddard and his wife Jackie from Melrose, Peggy Ann Tincker and her husband George from Lynn, Linda Easterday, from Tyngsboro, and Jeanette Graham from Quincy; close friends Ellen Hutchins from Melrose, Carol Andreucci from Saugus, Anna McClure from Florida, Gert Ferrara from Saugus, Amy Becker and her husband Michael and their three sons, Mitchell, Kevin, and Robert from Middleton as well as many other friends who will miss her dearly.
Special thanks to Joseph Pennacchio, MD who was her very devoted hematologist for many years and to both the laboratory and medical staff at Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center in Stoneham. We are also very grateful for the excellent care she received from her two physicians, Drs. Deepthi Koneru and Dr. Sayuj Paudel, as well as from all of the 5th floor nursing staff at Melrose Wakefield.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mary’s Church, 9 Herbert St., Melrose on Saturday, December 29. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or the Salesian Mission, 2 Lefebre Lane, New Rochelle, New York 10801. For directions and to sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com
