SALEM - Doris May (Belleau) Ouellette, 91, formerly of Salem, wife of the late Raymond H. Ouellette, died Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Anna Jaques Hospital Newburyport, following a short illness.
Born in Woonsocket, RI, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Rosilda (Gignac) Belleau.
Doris was first employed as a waitress, and later owned and operated restaurants in Salem and other communities in Essex County, starting with Dotty’s Lunch, which she opened in Salem in 1953 and later, Dot & Ray’s, also in Salem. She retired in the early 1970's.
With a love for country music for most of her life, a beautiful voice and playing guitar, she performed as Dotty May and played with many different musicians and groups all over Essex County and beyond. She performed with Tony Romano a friend and band leader for over 40 years and also formed Dotty May and the Country Echos. She was inducted into the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association Hall of Fame in 2001.
Dot is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Raymond J. Ouellette of Merrimac, Gene E. and his wife Lydia Ouellette of Salisbury, 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, Sandra Hughes of Sierra Vista, Arizona, whom Dotty looked upon as a daughter and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 3 sons, Frederick Ouellette, Frank Ouellette and Paul Ouellette, one sister, Rita Pare and three brothers, Armand Belleau, Alfred Belleau and Edward Belleau.
Relatives and friends are welcome to a visitation to be held Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 2 to 4 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. There are no other services. For those who desire, donations may be made in her memory to the Maplewood Nursing Center, Residents Council, 6 Morrill Place, Amesbury, MA 01913. For on line guest book, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.