Dolores J. L’Heureux, 90, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 22, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers she gave so freely throughout her life. She was the devoted wife of the late Raymond E. L’Heureux, who passed away in 1992 after 32 years of marriage.
Born on March 27, 1935, Dolores was the daughter of the late Charles and Jeannette (Charity). With the exception of her most recent years spent living with her son in Pelham, she was a lifelong resident of Lowell. She was a proud graduate of Lowell High School, Class of 1952, and carried with her a deep love for her city and community throughout her life.
Dolores lived a life rooted in faith. Her devotion to God, the Blessed Mother, and Jesus guided every part of who she was. Prayer was not something she did, it was how she lived. She prayed for everyone, for family, friends and strangers, she believed deeply in the quiet strength that comes from trusting God.
She met her beloved husband Ray in 1958 through mutual friends, and the two were married in October of 1959. Together they built a life grounded in love, devotion, and family. Ray was a hardworking provider, and Dolores was the heart of their home.
Family meant everything to Dolores. As a teenager, she was told she would never have children, words that broke her heart. But Dolores prayed relentlessly. Her prayers were answered when she welcomed two children, whom she always described as gifts from God. Her son was her Christmas miracle, and her daughter her Easter blessing. She never stopped thanking God for them.
Dolores cherished time spent with her large and loving family, her siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and especially her great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. She loved dancing, playing cards, and listening to music on records. She adored animals and was affectionately known as the family’s very own “Snow White.”
She was known for her generosity and compassion. Having grown up during the Great Depression, Dolores knew what it was like to have very little, and she never wanted to see anyone she loved go without. She would help anyone in need, even if it meant giving her last dollar or her last meal.
Small in stature but fierce in spirit, Dolores lived with strength, determination, and joy. She also had a legendary love of shopping—so much so that she was often paged in stores, only to be found with her cart piled full of items, many which she already had at home.
Dolores is survived by her loving son Charles L’Heureux; her grandchildren Jennifer L’Heureux, Katie Colon and her husband Freddy, Joel L’Heureux and his wife Alexa, Mikayla Wells, Christin Perruzzi and her husband David, and Christopher Philipon and his fiancée Denise.
She was the proud great-grandmother of her precious girls, who always made her smile and laugh: Lacey, Aaliyah, and Layla Colon, and Emmy (Emerson) Wells; and her only great-grandson, Brogin Riley Sousa, whom she lovingly called “her king.”
Dolores found great joy in attending Grandparents’ Day at St. Jeanne d’Arc School for Jennifer and Katie, and later for their children. She loved baking cakes, doing crafts, chatting with them as teens, and then sharing in their lives as they became mothers themselves.
She was over the moon to have a grandson, Joel to carry the L’Heureux name. As a young boy she treasured the weekends he spent at her house. Joel’s blue eyes reminded her of his Pepere’s.
She shared a special bond with Christin Perruzzi and her husband David, enjoying beach trips, adventures that allowed her to remain young at heart, and cherished annual photos sitting with Santa.
She adored Mikayla and Christopher beyond measure, always eager to see their latest crafts, photos, and hear of their accomplishments in Texas—keeping their pictures close at hand to proudly show anyone who visited.
Dolores is also survived by her beloved brother Robert “Bobby” Charity and his wife Sue; her sister-in-law Lorraine L’Heureux; her brother-in-law Leon L’Heureux; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was the cherished godmother of Nichole Fulton Chistman, whom she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Ray; her longtime companion Ronald; her beloved daughter Denise Anne whom she could not wait to see in heaven; her brothers Henry Brunelle his wife Alice, Edward Charity his wife Jane, her sisters Jacqueline Gauthier her husband Roger, Shirley Capsalis her husband Jimmy, Isabelle Fulton her husband Hazen; as well as many members of the extended L’Heureux family.
Dolores embodied the power of faith, hope, and prayer. None of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren would be here without her devoted prayers. Her legacy is one of love, generosity, forgiveness, and unwavering belief. Her prayers continue as love knows no end.
On January 10, 2026 all are welcome to attend her funeral mass at St. Patrick Church, 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, at 10 a.m.. Dolores loved color. Please wear something colorful and vibrant at Mass in remembrance of her.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Frontal Lobe Dementia, the disease that took Dolores’s husband and daughter at such young ages, at: https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-ftd/disease-overview/?campaign=488718