Dorothy Elizabeth Wilson, 94 years old, longtime resident of Medford, Massachusetts, passed away at Winchester Hospital on Friday, July 24, 2026. Dorothy, fondly known by her extended family and friends as Dot, was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on October 29, 1931. She was the beloved daughter of Ralph and Mabel Palmer.
Dorothy was lovingly known by her three daughters as Ma, and her parenting and presence in their lives was a true blessing. She will be deeply missed by her daughter Lisa Barnes and her husband Tim, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; by her daughter Lynda Gephart and her husband Craig, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and by her son-in-law Bruce Tobey, of Medford, Massachusetts. Dorothy was sadly predeceased by her daughter Diane Tobey in 2025.
Dorothy was lovingly known by her grandchildren as Grammie (with that spelling for most, and Grammy for Christa), a truly special person in their lives. Her grandchildren are thankful for the many years they’ve had with her: Christa Keohan and her husband Brian (Medford); Ryan Gephart and his wife Morgan Vasiliu (Nashua, NH); Corey Gephart and his fiancée Celeste Creef (Mechanicsburg, PA); Alexa Barnes and her fiancé Max Lacy (Hot Springs, MT); and Jason Barnes (Tewksbury). In addition, she was Grammie to Bruce’s daughters, Jennifer DeVone and Melissa Tobey and Grandma Dot to all of their children.
Dorothy was lovingly known by her great-grandchildren as Gam-Gam. Christa and Brian’s son, Dante Welch, will especially miss her loving presence, having lived with her in their multi-generational home all of his life. Alexa and Max’s son, Maxwell Lacy, had the blessing of her love for the first year of his young life. Her future great-grandchildren, one on the way, will hear the stories of her great love.
The extended Palmer family was very special to Dorothy throughout her long life. She will be missed by her brother and sister-in-law, Dana and Betty Palmer, Glens Falls, NY; and she was sadly predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Marie Palmer, Hudson, NH.
Dorothy will also be missed by her Palmer nieces and nephews and their families: Joyce Palmer and George DeWolf, Wentworth, NH; John Palmer, Peru, NY; Karen Cummings, Glens Falls, NY (and sadly predeceased by Rich Cummings); and Mike and Sue Palmer, Madison, CT.
Dorothy loved living on Dudley Street in Medford, where she lived for almost 40 years. Her kind neighbors encouraged her in so many ways, beginning so many years ago with Marie and Agnes and their loving friendship, and extending to so many households on their block. She especially appreciated Alysia Monaco and Sean Miller, and was blessed by Alysia’s support as she aged. Dorothy’s presence, her quiet ways, and her friendly smile will be missed in their neighborhood.
As a follower of Jesus, the church family of First Baptist Church of Medford was also very special to Dorothy. She was a member of the church for close to 60 years, in recent decades faithfully sitting near the front on the right side every Sunday she could attend. Friends from church have been a significant life-long community for all of the family. Dorothy served the church in various ways through the years, especially in stints as the church treasurer and the financial secretary.
Dorothy’s mathematical acumen served her well, not just for the church, but also in her career. She graduated from University of New Hampshire with a degree in Business Administration in 1953, worked for a time in insurance, then began in banking. After some years away while raising young children, Dorothy returned to her banking career, mostly with Home Savings Bank, moving up the ranks from teller to assistant branch manager, to branch manager, and lastly to assistant treasurer at the main office on Tremont St. in Boston. She moved to part time work in her later years and completely stopped working sometime in 2004.
Dorothy was a very quiet, gentle person, a good listener and support. The highlight of her life was any time spent with family members. She loved the ocean and Ocean Park, Maine and spent many summer vacations there. She also enjoyed playing games, with cribbage as her most notable favorite. She really enjoyed whooping her children and grandchildren, which was a common result of their time playing together. Her family will miss her presence with us greatly, and we give sincere thanks to God for the blessing she has been in all of our lives!
Visiting hours with Dorothy’s family will be held in the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, on Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 4 to 6 pm. Dorothy's funeral service will be celebrated at the First Baptist Church, 29 Oakland Street, Medford on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11 am. Interment following the service will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend these gatherings as able.
Donations in Dorothy's memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Medford, 34 Oakland Street, Medford, MA 02155 or to the Trust Fund for her great-grandson, Dante Welch (payable to Dante W. Welch Supplemental Needs Trust) and mailed to Dorothy’s son-in-law and attorney at HONIG & BARNES LLP, 55 Wingate St, Haverhill, MA 01832). For livestream at church, please go to: FBC Website link to Livestream: https://firstbaptistchurchmedford.org/livestream
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChurchMedford/#
For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.