Dorothy Ina McGovern, 86, of Madison CT, formerly of Enfield CT, died peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Born in Springfield, MA on September 7, 1936, she was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Ina (Romieu) Holton. Dottie married the love of her life Thomas J. McGovern, Jr. in May of 1958. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage until Tom’s passing in 2021. Dottie enjoyed annual family trips to Hawks Nest Beach, volunteering for the Enfield High School Library and going on vacations with Joan and Bill Bourque, her best friend and cousin. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church for many years, and a dedicated Christian always willing to help others, and ready to send a card to cheer up or offer condolences. Dottie earned her associate degree from Bay Path College in 1954. After her graduation, Bay Path College remained an integral part of her life. She served on the Board of Trustees for over a decade alongside then Chairman Stewart Prescott Blake. Dottie loved attending Board meetings, annual homecoming celebrations, plays and fundraising events.
Dottie was a Secretary at Eli Whitney School for close to two decades before retiring in 2014. She loved working at the school and made many close friends. Dottie enjoyed the simple pleasures. The daily conversations with her close friends were an integral part of her life. To those that knew her, Dottie was a forever friend. She maintained lifelong connections with her treasured friends and cherished their phone calls, visits, and holidays cards. She leaves 4 children, Kathleen Lawson and her husband James of Springfield, MA, Robert McGovern and his wife Erin of Madison CT, Daniel McGovern of Kent, CT and Elizabeth DeBlieux and her husband Michael of West Hartford CT; 10 grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Amanda, Abigail, Jessica, Scott, Alec, Daniela, Shawn and Bryant; 7 great-grandchildren, Isabella, Jaxson, Kaiya, Max, Ella, Oliver and Michael; 4 Great-great grandchildren. Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Thomas J. McGovern, III.
Dottie’s family will receive friends on Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 9-10:30 AM at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Patrick Church, Enfield. Burial will follow in Enfield St. Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation.