Obituary of Dorothy C. Larson

The world lost a bright light Sunday, June 18, 2023, with the passing of Dorothy C. Larson, of Amherst, NH, following a battle with cancer fought the same way that she lived her life: with courage, faith, perseverance, and grace.  By her side were her husband of forty-eight years, William, her daughter, Elizabeth, of Boston, MA, son John, and daughter-in-law Agnes, of Glastonbury, CT. 

She was the beloved Nana to her two grandchildren, Eleanor and Henry, whom she adored, and while their time together was entirely too short, the loving memories she left for them will last forever.  Dorothy also is survived by her brothers, Jack Collins, of Wareham, MA, and Walter Collins, of Wolfeboro, NH. 

Dottie was born in 1948 in Winthrop, MA, to the late Dorothy (Stasio) Collins, and John Henry Collins.  She grew up in East Boston, where she attended St. Mary School and Fitton Central High School.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Boston State College and a degree of Master of Education from Salem State College.  Dottie loved teaching first and second grades in Lynnfield, MA, and in Oxnard, CA, and her favorite part of her job was the moment each of her students learned to read.

Dottie also loved the Bruins and Baboosic Lake, where she spent every summer of her life.  But she loved being a mom most of all, and would do anything for her family.  She supported William’s career every step of the way, and dove into Navy life with both feet, navigating seven moves in fifteen years.  In Hawaii, where others were homesick with island fever, the girl from Eastie fully embraced the adventure and the experience of being a new mom 5,000 miles from home.  She was quick to make lifelong friends along the way, and she was a kind, loyal, and patient one to those lucky enough to meet her. 

For her children, Dottie chaperoned field trips and volunteered for book sales.  She sewed every Halloween costume and did not miss a recital, a practice, or a game.  For children in graduate school and beyond, she cooked meals to fill freezers, correctly surmising that any problem could be solved with homemade meatballs in gravy.  She said countless prayers at (sometimes twice) daily Mass, and for all that she never expected or accepted anything in return.  Ever the teacher, she cut box tops for education from cereal boxes long after her kids left school, and she was happier taking her grandchildren on a figurative trip by reading a book than she was taking an actual vacation herself.   

Characteristically selfless, Dottie at the last refused to rest until she knew her family would be ok.  She will be missed terribly and in perpetuity, and she can be honored both by reading a book to a child and living as she did: with humility and humor.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 285 Church St, Hartford, CT, with a reception to follow at 11:30 am at the Glastonbury Boathouse, 252 Welles St, Glastonbury, CT. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.