Dorothy M. Shafer Stewart, 68 of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer.
Born September 19, 1958 in Mexico, Dorothy was the beloved daughter of the late John Shaffer and the late Maria Maldonado Shaffer Tatro. She grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, where she lived until 1989, before moving to East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where she made her home for the next 36 years.
In 1973, Dorothy married her teenage sweetheart, Peter L. Stewart. Together, they built a life centered on love, family, and the joy of raising their five beautiful children.
In 1994, Dorothy earned her license practical nurse LPN license. allowing her to pursue what came most naturally to her; caring for others. Nursing was more than a profession to Dorothy. It was a reflection of her compassionate heart and the genuine love she had for helping people.
Above all else, Dorothy treasured her family. Her greatest happiness was found in the simple, everyday moments spent with the people she loved most. She was always there to cheer on her son at dirt bike races, watch her other son play baseball in the stands and support her daughter at speed skating during the week and swim meets on the weekends.
As her family grew, so did her love. She took great joy in watching her grandchildren play soccer and football, attending cheerleading competitions, and even mowing the lawn alongside her two grandsons. She also looked forward to the homemade cornbread her grandson brought her every Thanksgiving, a tradition that held a special place in her heart. Dorothy shared an extra-special bond with her great-grandson Karter, as the two shared the same birthday. She lovingly referred to them as “birthday twins,” a little connection that made their birthdays even more special. Dorothy cherished the little things just as much as the big moments, whether it was cuddling up on the couch with her beloved dog, Max, having her hair and nails done by her granddaughters, spending sunny days by the pool catching some rays, or settling in with her fuzzy socks and bathrobe to watch a good scary movie. She also loved the simple pleasures in life, especially scratching her lottery tickets and playing bingo alongside her mother and mother-in-law ,Those moments, filled with laughter, excitement, and the hope of a lucky win, were memories she treasured.
She treasured her early mornings, sharing a cup of coffee with her beloved husband before work, and taking long drives to Plymouth for a bite to eat at Wood’s. Some of her happiest moments were spent sitting on the porch, watching her great-grandbabies play before jumping into the pool, soaking in the sunshine and cherishing every moment spent watching them grow.
Dorothy didn’t need grand adventures or special occasions to be happy. Her family was her greatest joy, and the memories made in those ordinary moments became the most extraordinary treasures of all. Her love was woven into every game, every gathering, every cup of coffee, and every summer afternoon and Christmas. Those are the moments her family will hold close to their hearts forever.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Peter Stewart.
Dorothy is also survived by her daughter, Regina M. Chaplic (husband Shawn Chaplic); her sons, Joseph M. Stewart and Joshua J Stewart (fiancée Shannon Flaherty); and her adopted son, Christopher Ogiba
Her grandchildren, Kayla Stewart (fiancé Shaun Leanues), Cassandra Kundicz (husband Stephen Kundicz), Nina Stewart (boyfriend Mike Boyer), Jacob G. Stewart, Aidan J. Stewart, Jayden T Stewart, and Jeremy M Stewart.
Her great-grandchildren, Jayce R. Leanues, Ariannah R. Leanues, Karter J. Leanues, and Mia R. Kundicz
She is also survived by her siblings, Maria and Ed Kearns of Middleboro, and Anthony and Brenda Shafer of Whitman; her brother-in-law, Rodney Sokoloff of Wisconsin; and David Gillis of East Bridgewater; brother-in-law Paul Stewart of Brockton; brother-in-law Steven Stewart of Brockton ; brother-in-law George voci of Brockton ; sister-in-law Brenda of Brockton ; sister-in-law Ellen Kendrick of Middleborough
Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved sons, Peter M Stewart and James P Stewart; her cherished parents; her sisters, Blanca Sokoloff and Anita Gillis; her brothers, John Shafer and Ben Shafer; her mother-in-law, Nana Tootsie; her sister-in-law, Tina Voci; and her brother-in-law, Louie Voci.
Following Cremation, Services will be held at the convenience of the family.