Joan E. (McMenemy) Dolan

West Boylston/Harwichport - On January 21, 2019 Joan Eileen (McMenemy) Dolan, beloved wife, mom, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away into God's loving arms at the age of 83. Joan will be fondly and forever remembered for her kind and caring ways, her love of family, the pride that she felt in her Irish heritage, and her devotion to the Catholic faith. She was especially proud of her five grandchildren – Tommy, Michael, Emily, Molly, and Jack, as well as, her loyal and faithful four legged-companion, Chauncey, who could always be found by her side.

Joan was born on September 11, 1935, the tenth of eleven children born to Walter and Anna (McKeown) McMenemy. She was raised in Worcester and attended South High School. While Joan was employed as a lab technician at City Hospital she met and fell in love with Tom Dolan, and they began their life together raising their family and supporting each other in their careers. Joan enrolled at Clark University to fulfill her desire to become an educator and received both her BA and M.A.Ed. degrees and completed doctoral work at Clark and Harvard University. She enjoyed a successful 17-year career as an accomplished teacher and reading specialist in the Worcester Public School system. She was highly regarded by her colleagues and revered by her students. She also had a passion for tutoring and had a positive impact on the lives of many students who to this day are very grateful for all she did for them. She was a devout proponent of the importance of education and instilled her love of learning to her children, grandchildren, and students.

While supporting her husband as he rose to the position of Senior Vice President of Clark University, Joan was a true ambassador of the university. They say behind every great man there is a great woman. Such was the case of Tom and Joan as they traveled the world together promoting Clark University and raising the funds necessary to advance the school's academic and cultural mission. In recognition of the positive impact they both had on the school over a 43-year span, Clark University graciously honored them in 2003 by naming their new athletic field house, the Thomas and Joan Dolan Field House.
While she traveled extensively throughout her life, Joan was always most happy and comfortable when at home surrounded by her family and friends. Music and dancing always brought out the fun side of Joan, and in her later years, television, shopping, and tennis brought her much joy. She was generous to a fault, always putting other's needs before her own. She cherished the opportunity to share quality time with those she loved, capturing every special moment with her video camera. She was a beautiful woman inside and out and her lovely smile and caring nature will be missed.

In addition to her loving husband of 62 years, Thomas Dolan, she leaves her much-loved sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas M. Dolan, Jr. and his wife, Cheryl of Shrewsbury and Brian F. Dolan and his wife, Elizabeth of Wilton, CT; her treasured grandchildren, Thomas M. Dolan III and his fiancée, Caitlen Beahn of Mansfield, Michael Dolan and his wife, Ellen of Charlestown, and Emily, Molly, and Jack Dolan of Wilton, CT; her brother, Bernard McMenemy and his wife, Peg of Worcester; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings whom she loved dearly - her brothers, Walter, Robert, William, George, and Francis McMenemy and her sisters, Anna Horne, Mary Conant, Rita Rice, and Carol Jordan.

The family would like to thank Mary Ann Kupstas, Jean Moss, Peg McMenemy, and Sue Flynn for their devotion to Joan when she needed support and companionship.

Family and friends are invited to gather with the family for a funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 28th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Street, West Boylston. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston Street, West Boylston. Burial will follow at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Joan's name to the Dolan Scholarship Fund, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Clark University 01610.

To share a favorite memory of Joan or to offer a condolence, please sign the guestbook.