Dorothy F. (Maher) Haggerty

Dorothy F. (Maher) Haggerty, 92, a life-long resident of Worcester, passed away on August 14th at The Health Center at the Willows, having been under the care of the Salmon Health Hospice team since early July.

She is survived by her sons, Michael P. Haggerty and his wife Susan of Sherborn, Brian T. Haggerty and his wife Lisa of Whitinsville, and Stephen J. Haggerty of Worcester; two daughters, Kathleen F. Chakarian and her husband Robert of Worcester, and Maureen F. Pease and her husband Richard of Leominster. 

Dorothy is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Kathleen, John, Katelyn (Kevin), Meghan, Kristina (John Michael), Daniel (Angelica), James (Madison), and Nicole (Justin); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Liam, Maeve, Cole, Charles, Vivienne, Jack, Aleah and Luca.

She was predeceased by her son Kevin J. Haggerty; her parents, Thomas F. and Margaret (Lawlor) Maher; two brothers, Brother Alphonsus Maher O.S.F. of New York and Robert J. Maher; and a sister Jean M. (Maher) DeFosse.    

She also leaves her dear friend of over 70 years, Janet (Ashe) Donahue of Cherry Valley, Mass. and her sister-in-law Sylvia (Desjourdy) Maher of Whitinsville. 

Dorothy was born in Worcester on April 11, 1933. 

She graduated from St. Peter’s High School where she was both a spirited cheerleader and the Valedictorian for the Class of 1951.  In her yearbook, her fellow classmates described her as ‘excellent cheerleader…loves well-balanced mischief, yet a faithful honor roll student … loyal, generous and true … our ‘Dottie’.”

After graduation, Dorothy worked at AllMerica Financial Corporation (formerly State Mutual) until she welcomed her first children (twin boys) in 1955.  She continued as a dedicated mother and homemaker for her six children until her return to the workforce in 1986, once again at AllMerica Financial Corporation.  She was named Employee of the Month as a secretary in November 1990, received a promotion to Executive Secretary of Investment Management in 1991, joined the Investment Research staff in 1995, and was once again named Employee of the Month for December, 2001.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire was Dottie’s favorite vacation destination!  She held dear the memories of weeks spent at the beach and boardwalk first as a child with her Maher relatives, followed by teenage adventures with her best friends.  She was excited to introduce her own children to Hampton and, in later years, revisited each summer with her siblings. 

Dorothy managed all aspects of her home, finances, and medical care well into her eighties with a fierce independence.

Dorothy took her responsibility as a citizen seriously by expressing her political concerns through thoughtfully written letters to Unites States Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry as well as Representative James McGovern.    

Dorothy was a faith-filled woman having been raised by devout Irish-Catholic parents.  She attended Mass at St. George’s Parish in Worcester for over fifty years and when health-related issues prevented her from attending there, she continued to participate in the weekly Sunday Mass offered at The Health Center at the Willows in Worcester where she had resided since December of 2020.

Her family wishes to sincerely thank both the staff at The Health Center and the Salmon Health Hospice team for their professional, supportive and compassionate care.  Their efforts to support not only Dorothy, but her family members especially through these last few weeks have been greatly appreciated.    

There will be a calling hour Saturday, August 23, beginning at 9 a.m. in St. George’s Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester.  The funeral Mass will follow in the church at 10 a.m.   Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. 

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.