Dorothy E. McDavitt

Dorothy E. McDavitt, age 94, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 6, 1929. She was the daughter of the late Samuel J. and Margaret (Mullen) Lord.

She graduated from Dedham High School in 1947. She went on to work at John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston. In her later years, Dorothy liked to say she was so old that she worked there when John Hancock still ran the place.

After a (successful!) blind date, Dorothy married the love of her life, Francis P. McDavitt Sr., on May 8, 1949, in Saint Mary's of the Assumption Church in Dedham, Massachusetts. They moved to Walpole, Massachusetts where they raised their five children. 

When all of her children were of school age, she went to work for the Walpole school lunch program and eventually managed the staff at the East Junior High School. She later worked as a sales correspondent at Bird and Sons, and ultimately became a Century 21 Real Estate broker until retirement. 

Dot was best known for her devotion to her family. She was the ultimate maker of beautiful memories, always going above and beyond. At gatherings, lobsters were fresh, birthday cakes were homemade, and she deemed every single moment, big or small, worth celebrating and appreciating. To be around Dorothy was to feel cherished. It was uniquely special to have a seat at her table, and she always found a way to make room for everyone. 

Her family fondly remembers summers spent in Marshfield, basking in the sun, floating in the ocean on huge tubes piled high with all the grandkids, treating everyone to ice-cream, and her infectious “McDavitt” laugh. She will be remembered for her humor-filled guidance, encouraging friends and family to live well, eat the extra cookie, buy the sassy dress, and outrun any regrets. She was an avid reader and exceptional listener. Her knitting and seamstress skills were unmatched. She was a true light to be around.   

Beloved wife of the late Francis P. McDavitt Sr.

Loving mother of Francis P. McDavitt Jr., and his wife Ellen, of Walpole; Joseph E. McDavitt, and his wife Suzy, of Needham; Claire A. Benson, and her husband Glenn, of Plainville; Jean E. Moise, and her husband Nick, of East Walpole; and Daniel F. McDavitt, and his wife Jean, of Needham. 

Cherished grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 18.

Sister of the late Joseph Lord, Claire West, Jack Lord, and Robert Lord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 11:30 AM in the Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole. Interment will follow at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dorothy's name may also be made to Blessed Sacrament Church at 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, MA 02081 or by visiting https://www.walpolecatholic.net/give. If you’d really like to honor her memory, bake a homemade cake for someone you love.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.