Dorothy Ellen (Fraser) Palladino of Medford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 5, 2019. She was 76 years old.
Her beloved husband of 50 years Alfred; father the late Stanley Fraser and his wife Ruth; mother the late Dorothy (Fraser) Rancatore and her husband Salvatore (Ted); and sister Jeanne (Fraser) Gagnon precede her in death. Her daughter Nanci Palladino and her son Jordan of Medford; John Palladino and his husband Mark Giesler and their sons Michael and Derrick of Ann Arbor, MI; and Jacqui (Palladino) Falco and her husband John and their sons John, Joey, and Jack of Medford survive her. Her loving sister-in-law Alice (Palladino) Moore of Townsend, several nieces and nephews, and many close friends also survive her.
Dottie was a kind, caring and compassionate woman who lived her life supporting and uplifting others. As a devoted member of Grace Episcopal Church (Medford), she gave tirelessly to several ministries up until the very end of her life, including serving on the altar guild and helping to organize the church’s clothes pantry, as well as assisting with meal preparation for the St. Luke’s soup kitchen and at-risk youth enrolled in the B-safe summer camp program in Chelsea, MA. She shared her love for books each Friday reading to the Grace Works Preschool children, often in costume.
Dottie loved cooking for her family. Whenever anyone was sick, Dottie lovingly made her famous homemade soup. Her grandchildren especially loved her homemade pancakes with extra chocolate chips. Dottie took beautiful pictures of flowers, the beach and of the people she loved. She used her pictures to make handmade cards for family, friends, and hospitalized children around the country. She creatively penned each card with her “Original .E” (Dottie Original) logo.
After working for the Medford Public Library for many years, Dottie retired this past September. She loved helping patrons find the perfect book. She was also a member of the Friends of the Medford Public Library, Medford Garden Club, and Medford Historical Society. She loved to garden and enjoyed when strangers and neighbors would stop to admire her beautiful garden at 51 Fulton Street.
Dottie was a lifelong learner and continuously challenged herself. She graduated from the “old” Medford High School and her first job was a secretary at Liberty Mutual. At age 47 she graduated from Harvard University Extension program, earning an Associate’s degree. At 70 years old, she fell in love with writing short stories and attended numerous writing workshops. At 74 years old, Dottie overcame a lifelong fear of public speaking to play the role of Ouiser in Grace Church’s production of Steel Magnolias. A star was born!
Dottie was blessed with many wonderful friends. She loved and accepted everyone. She always made time to visit or call anyone that was ill or isolated. She enjoyed the theatre, attending church, and playing Scrabble with her girlfriends and grandchildren.
Dottie was a strong woman with a big heart. She befriended nurses and doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. When chemotherapy was no longer a viable option for her, she volunteered to participate in a trial because she wanted to help future cancer patients. Her family is eternally grateful for the care and support MGH provided to Dottie. Dottie will remain in the hearts of her children and grandchildren forever. She will always be remembered for being their biggest champion and for leading by example when it came to helping and loving others.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on March 9, 2019, at 11:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High Street, Medford, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dottie’s memory can be made to an organization close to her heart- the Friends of the Medford Public Library, 111 High St., Medford, MA 02155. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.