Dorothy Anne Upton

Dorothy Anne Upton, age 86, passed away on November 17, 2023, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts. Born in the Queens borough of New York City on August 21, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Mary Anne (Devlin) Steinke. Dorothy spent the early years of her life in Annapolis, Maryland, before moving to the sunny shores of Honolulu, Hawaii, where she attended and graduated from McKinley High School.

After graduating, Dorothy returned to Maryland to attend one of the nation’s oldest and finest nursing schools, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore. Once Dorothy received her bachelor’s degree and passed her licensure boards, she took a position with the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was an excellent nurse and quickly rose through the ranks to become Head of Pediatric Nursing. As Head of Pediatric Nursing, Dorothy ensured that all the young girls and boys at the hospital were safe, comfortable, and well cared for by herself and the staff she managed.

One day, in the summer of 1964, Dorothy was at a quaint restaurant when met Richard D. Upton. They pair had an instant connection and it was clear to everyone that they were meant for each other. Their love was truly a love at first sight. Dorothy and Richard’s whirlwind courtship turned into an engagement eleven days later. The couple traveled to Walpole, Massachusetts where Richard’s family resided and on February 19, 1965, Dorothy married the love of her life Richard at Saint Mary's Church in East Walpole, Massachusetts.

The newlyweds made their married home in Walpole for a number of years before setting down roots in the neighboring town of Norwood, Massachusetts, ready to raise a family. Dorothy embraced the prospect of motherhood with open arms, and she and Richard would add Amy, Laurie, and Christopher to their growing family over the years. When Dorothy wasn’t doting on her family, she worked at the Ellis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Norwood, caring for the patients there with her tender touch. Dorothy would also fill in as a Nurse for the Norwood School System as needed, taking temperatures, bandaging little knees, and comforting the sick school children. 

In her free time, Dorothy enjoyed curling up with a good book. She was an avid reader, who loved to get lost in a story, with the rest of the world fading into the background as she became engrossed in the plot. Dorothy also loved to garden, and her green thumb helped to plant and grow the beautiful flowers that blossomed around her house every year. Most of all, Dorothy loved spending time with her family, who were her pride and joy.

As time went on, and her children grew up, Dorothy took on a new role that came with the best title, that of “Grammy”. Dorothy was ecstatic when she learned she was going to be a grandmother; as children are wonderful, but grandchildren are even better. Out of all the roles that Dorothy held in her life that of Grammy was arguably her favorite. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, whether it was sharing stories over a meal, or enjoying time together in the garden, every moment was as precious and special as the next. 

Beloved wife of Richard Upton.

Loving mother of Amy Elizabeth Parlon and her husband Paul of North Attleboro, Laurie and her husband Michael , and Christopher Richard Upton and his wife Tricia of Norwood.

Cherished grandmother of Caitlin Parlon, Patrick Parlon, Emma Upton, and Ryan Upton.

Dorothy’s family would like to acknowledge the compassion, care, and skill of Sharon Christie, who was her caretaker and friend. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Dorothy's Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

At the request of Dorothy's family, funeral services will be private. Interment will be private in the Highland Cemetery in Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dorothy's name may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or by visiting https://www.­shrinerschildrens.org/en/­locations/boston