Doris Frances (Hesselton) Power passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 14, 2015, at the age of 81. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend, Doris was born in Worcester on July 4, 1933. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Frances (Dodd) Hesselton, to whom she was devoted, and her brother, William.
Doris leaves behind her loving husband of 59 years¸ Andrew, five children, Helen M. Power of Chicago, IL, Katherine F. Power of Leicester, Thomas P. Power of Cherry Valley, Josephine A. Power and her partner, Phil Bozenhard, of Biddeford, ME, and Margaret R. Weinstock of West Barnstable; her five beloved grandchildren, Adam and Harold Cocker, Allison Power, and Arthur Charles (Charlie) and Sophia Weinstock; her brother, Kenneth Hesselton, and his wife, Carol, of Reading, OH, her sister Janet LaForce, and husband, Robert, of Millbury, son-in-law Donald “Chip” Cocker, best friend, Viola “Chi Chi” Mulhern, and myriad friends and relatives.
Doris was educated in the Worcester Public Schools including Belmont Prep and Commerce High. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Home Economics and her Master’s Degree in Education from Worcester State College. Doris was a lifeguard in her youth and worked at Camp Wind in the Pines. During her undergraduate years, and upon graduation from college, she worked at Sherer Department Store and New England Telephone. She was also a Camp Fire Girl leader.
Upon the birth of her first child, Doris embraced her new role as a mother and homemaker. She was a devoted wife and mother and loving grandmother. Doris was extremely proud of her grandchildren who regularly sought out “Gramma” for her comforting words and ways. Doris had special relationships with each of her children, loved them dearly, and supported them in all that they did. She always welcomed her children’s friends to her home as if they were her own. She “took care of Andy” with the patience of a saint.
Doris was the true matriarch of her family—hosting all of the family gatherings. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, welcoming home, great laugh, scrumptious meals, gardening, sewing, and baking talents, and especially for her delicious pies and roly-rolys. She was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church for 56 years, where she was a volunteer for the Quilting Angels and a Eucharistic minister. She was a progressive Catholic and a life-long Democrat. She was also a dedicated election poll worker where she was a friendly neighborhood face. Later in life, she became a voracious reader.
Doris will be missed by so many and her spirit will live on through all those she touched. She will also continue to live on through her organ donations.
Family and friends are invited to her funeral Mass on Friday, June 19th at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels, 1222 Main St. A calling hour will be held in the Church Hall at 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603 or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber’s Mammography Van, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215. O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is directing arrangements.