Dolores M. (Goudreau) Lawlor, 90, of Dartmouth, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 14, 2021. Born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts, Dolores (known to her family and childhood friends as Liz) graduated from St. Mary’s High School and trained as a registered nurse at Morton Hospital where she worked in the maternity ward until her marriage to John Lawlor in 1956. Dolores and John, who predeceased her in 2016, were happily married for 60 years. Devoted and proud mother of four daughters, Dolores struck a wonderful balance between nurturing warmth and clear-eyed practicality. She was unfailingly supportive and forgiving. Incredibly organized, she maintained a tidy and spotless home, suffering with fond exasperation the messier habits of her family. Cooking and baking were her creative outlets, and she produced many memorable birthday cakes, festive holiday buffets, and summer cookouts. Dolores was an avid card player, teaching her children and those she cared for rummy, two-handed spades, and poker. She was always ready for a game of Yahtzee or Scrabble. She loved to read on the beach, shop with friends, and attend concerts, performances, flower shows, and museum exhibitions with her daughters. She also enjoyed needlework and maintained an extensive written correspondence with her family and friends. Although she spent much of her life in southeastern Massachusetts, Dolores enjoyed travel and she and her husband made trips to Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and Israel, as well as visits to family throughout the United States. Dolores had a lot of love to give and showered it on her husband, her daughters, her grandchildren, the family dogs, her extended family and friends, and the children she cared for once her own daughters reached adulthood. She touched many lives with her kindness and humor and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her four daughters: Dianne R. Logan of Dartmouth; Patricia R. Simon and her husband Barry of Middleboro; Jean F. Lawlor of Lander, WY; and Margaret L. Mahoney and her husband Chris of Croton-On-Hudson, NY; a sister, Lorraine Pratte of Ohio; six grandchildren: Heidi, Christopher, and Caleb Woofenden; William, John, and Grace Mahoney; two great-grandchildren, Amber and Chloe Woofenden, and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Lucille Gonsalves and Roland Goudreau and mother-in-law of the late Douglas Logan.
Arrangements are private.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to: Humane Society & Shelter Southcoast, 31 Venture Dr., Dartmouth, MA 02747 or Child & Family Services, Inc., 3057 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745.