Dorothy Reilly Gagnon
Dorothy Reilly Gagnon, 86, born on April 19, 1931, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Mount Saint Rita Health Center in Cumberland. She was the wife of the late Theodore Leo Gagnon and a 50-year resident of Seekonk.
She was the only daughter of Thomas E. Reilly II and Eva M. Hennessey Reilly. She was pre-deceased by her three brothers Thomas E. Reilly III, Richard M. Reilly and William A. Reilly. Born in Natick, RI she was raised in Westerly, R.I. and attended the Immaculate Conception School graduating in 1946. She was also a graduate of Westerly High School's class of 1949.
She was employed at Seidner's Mayonnaise Co. with a friend for a short time. She did not like peeling potatoes. She then worked at Michael A. Vacca's Florist where her love of floral design began. After the closure of the florist shop, she worked as a clerk at the Westerly Highway Board of Commissioners until her marriage and subsequent move to Seekonk in 1956. As a talented artist, she created numerous costumes for area organizations, floats for holiday parades, elementary school plays and more for the town of Seekonk over the years. She was also a lifelong contributor to St. Mary's Parish jubilees, Christmas fairs and more. She became the proud owner and creator of Supa-Bilt Crafts and was the bookeeper for her family-owned business, Theodore L. Gagnon, Inc. tool and die company of E. Providence, R.I.
Dorothy's greatest passions were her infinite love of family, limitless artistic creations, her Irish heritage and her profound faith in God. She was a woman of deep faith and convictions.
She leaves four children, Susan M. Gagnon-Flanagan and husband Sean of Framingham, MA; Patricia A. (Gagnon) Ochab and husband Paul of Lowell, MA; William T. M. Gagnon and wife, Leslie of Warren, R.I. and Timothy M. Gagnon of Bristol, R,I.
She was the devoted and adoring grandmother of Matthew Hillier, Mario J. Turco, William C. Turco, Mattie E. Turco, Patrick H. Flanagan, Sean P. "Skip" Flanagan and step-grandmother to Zachary P. Ochab. She also leaves three great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister-in-law Violet Reilly and sons Marcos and Miquel Reilly of Chicago, IL and her twin nieces Kathleen (Reilly) Givens and Maureen (Reilly) Pointer of Portsmouth, NH and families and cousin Theresa (Reilly) Such. She is also survived by several dear friends whose friendship, love and laughter she cherished.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Coyle Dr. in Seekonk at 11AM on Saturday, April 29th. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. Flowers are joyfully accepted or donations may be made to the Patrick H. Flanagan Angel Fund, P.O. Box #2085, Framingham, MA 01701. All inquiries may be forwarded to Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Ave., Lincoln, RI 02865.
