Abington – Joanne “Barbara” (Ellis) Dole 70, of Abington, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday July 18 after a short illness. She was the beloved wife of 50 years to Edward J. Dole, Jr.
She was the loving mother of Brian E. Dole and his wife Tracy of Kingston, Stephen M. Dole of Abington, Julianne M. Murphy and her husband Stephan of Kingston and Kevin T. Dole and his wife Nadia of Bennington, VT, and loving grandmother to seven grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Richard Ellis.
A wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a friend, Barbara was all those things and she did them in her special unique way.
Barbara loved her trips to New York City with her daughter and granddaughter to see shows, shop and dine. She loved going to the casino for the day with her dear friend or overnights with her husband or daughter and enjoyed gathering with family on special occasions.
She loved to shop for her kids and grandkids and loved watching them too. She loved going to her granddaughters Olivia and Katie's recitals and hearing about her grandson Matt's games. She was so proud of her oldest granddaughter Ashley's graduation from college. She got the biggest belly laughs from her grandson Patrick. She enjoyed when her granddaughter Alyssa visited from new Orleans and hearing about and seeing pictures of her great granddaughter Gabby and most recently the joy of having a new granddaughter Poet.
She had away of making everyone laugh and said the funniest things with a straight face. Barbara was loved by all those who knew her, whether family or the friends she made working as a waitress at Christo's for over thirty years and at BJ's the last few years, everyone knew Barbara!
It all happened so quickly, not enough time to prepare for goodbyes but we now know we would never have been ready to say goodbye to you, our mother, grandmother, friend and wife. We miss you Barbara and we wish with the click of ruby slippers we could have you home with us, but we must settle for bringing you back by sharing our memories of you as we take you along with us always in our hearts.
Her services will be held Monday July 22 at 10:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 11 AM in St. Bridget Church, Abington. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Rockland. Visiting hours will be held Sunday July 21 from 3-7 PM.
Donations in her name may be made to National Shrine of St. John Neumann, 1019 North 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.