Holden – Dorothy G. (McGrath) LaValle, 72, of Holden, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed Wednesday, April 25, 2018 after a long health battle, surrounded by her loving family.
Dorothy was born in Queens, N.Y., daughter of the late James G. and Dorothy (McKeon) McGrath. She graduated from Douglas McArthur High School in Wantagh, N.Y., and later received an associate degree in Secretarial Sciences from Farmingdale State College in New York.
She married the love of her life, Armand R. LaValle, at St. James Catholic Church in Seaford, N.Y., moved to California shortly after their first daughter was born, then settled down in Shrewsbury in the late 1970s, before moving to Holden in 2010. While living in Shrewsbury, Dorothy was an active parent in the Shrewsbury schools, a Town Meeting Member of over 20 years, and a member of Saint Mary’s Parish where she sang in its choir and was a CCD Teacher.
Dorothy started in the advertising world before meeting Armand, and they both worked for Digital Equipment Corp, when they moved to Massachusetts. Most recently, she had worked for the Salmon Family in the Human Resources Department. She had many varied jobs over the years, but they were just a supplement to her true job as a mother, not just to her children but to anyone who walked through her door. She was known to cook for an army and was the first to lend a hand to anyone in need. She enjoyed singing, traveling with her husband, attending the events of her children and grandchildren and had a passion for oil painting.
She leaves her loving husband, Armand R. LaValle; two daughters, Daria Liston and her husband Seth of Holden and Diana Green and her husband Andrew of Sturbridge; three grandchildren, Carter and Garrett Liston and Grace Green; a brother; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family Tuesday, May 1, from 4-7 p.m., at BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. Her funeral will be from the funeral home Wednesday, May 2, with a funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery of Holden.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sterling Animal Shelter.
