Dorothy Avis (Lacey) Risher, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025, after a prolonged illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.
“Dot” was born on February 22, 1939, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Patrick Joseph and Willette Alberta (Chandler) Lacey. The youngest of three daughters, Dot was raised in a family steeped in New England tradition.
As a young girl, Dot was stricken with Polio and learned she would probably never walk again. Defying the odds, she strode proudly across the stage at her High School graduation and achieved the highest award in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Organization, the Grand Cross of Color.
On a blind date, Dot’s sweet disposition and sparkling blue eyes caught the attention of a young Navy man from Pennsylvania. She and Quentin (“Rish”) Risher married on September 10, 1960, traveled with the Navy from Kodiak, Alaska, to Newport, Rhode Island, and brought three strapping sons into the world.
In 1967, Rish was deployed to Vietnam, and Dot moved her boys to Andover, MA, to be closer to her mother and sisters, Patricia (“Pat”) Hefler and Margaret (“Mitzi”) Young. Upon Rish’s return, the family settled in Tewksbury, MA, where Dot tapped into her caring, nurturing nature to start an in-home daycare, helping mold the early years of countless children, including nieces, nephews, and, eventually, her own grandchildren.
Dot’s generosity to friends and family was boundless, and “Nana” never forgot a birthday or failed to celebrate a special occasion. Her deep faith showed in her concern for others, and she loved with all her heart. Those fortunate enough to know her loved her with all of theirs.
Dorothy is survived by her sons and their wives, Gene & Adrienne Risher (Nashua, NH), Ken & Leisa Risher (Billerica, MA), and Rob & Brenda Risher (Billerica, MA), her grandchildren, William, Mary, Natalya, Patrick, Andrew, Samuel, Michaela, and Rebecca, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Calling hour will be Saturday, September 6th, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by funeral services to begin at 11 a.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Services will conclude with interment at Tewksbury Cemetery, 172 East Street, Tewksbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be mailed to First Congregational Church, 18 Andover Road, Billerica, MA 01821 or online at www.fccbillerica.org