A very outgoing woman known for her laughter and boundless love
Published June 10, 2021
NORTH READING — Dorothy H. “Dottie” Gillis, 84, of North Reading, died March 25, 2020 at MelroseWakefield Hospital.
Born in North Reading on May 21, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Helen (Lyons) Sarcone.
Dottie was married to the late George F. Gillis for 56 years. She raised four children, three daughters and one son: Debra McCabe and her husband Carl and Kathleen Anderson and her husband Peter, all of North Reading; Dorothy Welch of Aurora, Colorado and George Gillis Jr., and his wife Wendy of Tewksbury.
Dottie is also survived by her sisters, Rose Lussier of Sanford, N.C. and MaryAnn Shaw of Atkinson, N.H., and she was predeceased by her sister, Catherine Marfleet, and her brothers, Paul and Leon Turcotte, and Anthony, Richard and Joseph Sarcone.
She was a loving Nana to nine grandchildren and the late Scott A. Welch. She was also Nana to nine great-grandchildren and an aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Dottie graduated from Reading High School. In her early years, Dottie worked for Transitron Electronic Corporation in Wakefield. Dottie was well known in town as the bus driver of students to North Reading Public Schools. Dottie retired from North Suburban Bus Company after more than 30 years of service. Dottie also worked briefly as a crossing guard in North Reading after retiring.
Dottie was very outgoing and was not afraid to try something new. She was known for her laughter and she always told you “like it is.” Dottie loved to teach her grandchildren and the many other children that called her Nana to fish and swim. Dottie especially enjoyed camping at her favorite place, Sebago Lake State Park in Maine, and she made many trips to York Beach, where she always made sure to find a good lobster roll.
Dottie was known for welcoming everyone and anyone over to her home. The door was always open. She was also known for ringing your doorbell multiple times when she came to visit your home. She loved family gatherings and cookouts and always brought her famous potato salad to every event. Dottie loved her family and friends and would do anything for anyone! She enjoyed all her dogs throughout the years, including Lilly, Jake and Rambo, just to name a few. Dottie will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 11 from 4-7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). Her funeral Mass with be held Saturday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Route 62), North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Dottie’s name to North Reading Parks and Recreation, Town Hall, 235 North Street, North Reading, MA 01864. The funds will be used to dedicate a tree near her favorite fishing hole. The tree is also near the area of Ipswich River Park where town barbecues are held, which she loved attending.
