Dorothy May "Dot" (Desmarais) Marino

AYER: Dorothy “Dot” May (Desmarais) Marino, caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away at the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton on February 29, 2024 at age 99, just 2 weeks shy of her 100th birthday. During her last days, she was surrounded by lots of love from her family who said “I love you” and who she blessed back with her final “I love you too”. Dorothy was born in Clinton, March 14,1924 to the late Philip V. and (Keyes) Bertha Desmarais. She graduated from Leominster High School and attended Fisher Business College. As a young woman, Dorothy worked at Fort Devens during World War II for the Quartermaster and then owned Caron’s Cut Rate Store in Ayer for many years. After spending 33 years in the Ayer High School Guidance Department, Dorothy retired but continued to support the Ayer Athletic Department selling tickets for the Friday night football games. She was an active long-time resident of Ayer, served town elections, was president of the Nashoba Valley Professional Woman’s Club for multiple years, served as chairwoman of Ayer’s 125th Dinner Dance Celebration and was honored as the Grand Marshall in the July 4th Parade in 2016. She also volunteered at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer well into her later years. Dorothy was a devout catholic and member of St. Mary’s Parish in Ayer. She was a lector and eucharistic minister for many years and managed the baked goods table for 46 years at the church’s annual lawn party. In 2018, Dorothy received the Cheverus Award from Cardinal Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston for her devout contributions to St. Mary’s Church. This award, presented to her in Boston, is the highest award given to dedicated catholic lay people who have served the parish well over an extended period of time and have done so in a quiet, unassuming and, perhaps, unrecognized fashion. Dorothy loved life, loved people and loved to travel. She went on 33 cruises throughout the years and visited many places, including Germany, Austria, Spain and the Caribbean. She traveled to Austria and Hawaii to visit friends. She enjoyed collecting Hummels, Angels and Christmas was clearly her favorite holiday as her home was extensively decorated with her many wonderful decorations. She enjoyed the Boston Red Sox, music, dancing and dining out and was a Friday night regular at the Piccolino in Shirley where she was known by their staff as Miss Dottie. She enjoyed frequently meeting up with friends both old and new there. But her greatest pleasures came from spending time with her family. Raising her children Marie and Gene and doting on her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, with whom she shared endless love and joy, gave her immeasurable happiness. In 1961, she married Vincent Marino whom she shared 25 amazing years before his death in 1986. She remained in the loving home that they shared in Ayer until 2021 when she moved into Nashoba Park Assisted Living in Ayer and then into the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton. Dorothy is survived by her brother Philip Desmarais, son-in-law Leo Carpenter, her grandchildren, Leo Carpenter Jr., Maryann Houle, Christine Sequin, Mark Forest, Craig Mascitti. Her great grandchildren Grace Houle, Caroline Forest, Olivia Forest, Johnnie Rodriguez, Greg Johnston, Jessie Lynn Mascitti, Jammie Lee Mascitti, Nina Carpenter, Matthew Carpenter and Makeala Rodriguez, great-great grandchildren Hudson Tavares and Audriana Tavares, and multiple generations of nieces and nephews. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband of 25 years Vincent Marino who passed away November 1986, her son Eugene Forest who passed March 1973, her daughter Marie who passed October 2021, her granddaughter Tammy Forest who passed in 2022 as well as her three sisters: Marjorie Verder, Lila Camblin and Lorraine Kenney and her parents Philip and Bertha Desmarais. Throughout her life, Dorothy always maintained her sweet, caring demeanor. She took pride in her appearance, was a woman of dignity and a lady who earned respect throughout her life just because of the person she was. Her heart was filled with kindness, faith and love and all who knew her were truly blessed. We will miss your special smile and loving hugs Dottie but we know that Heaven is rejoicing now that you have finally arrived to your eternal home. The family would like to thank the staff at the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley who provided exceptional, loving care for Dorothy the last 2 years of her life. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. Anthony's Church, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ayer. Calling hours will be 4-7 PM Friday, March 8, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Ayer. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy requests that donations be given to her beloved St. Mary’s Church, 31 Shirley St, Ayer, MA 01432.

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Dorothy May "Dot" (Desmarais) Marino

March 14, 1924 - February 29, 2024