White, Dorothy A.

Dorothy Ann (Ferguson) White, 63, of Canton, passed away suddenly, surrounded by the love of her devoted family on March 4, 2020.

Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, Michael; her daughter, Sheila White, and her son, Michael White and his wife, Diana, all of Canton. Dear sister to Jane Pratt and her husband, Ralph, of Canton, Mary Ferguson and her partner, Cindy, of Scituate, Gerard Ferguson and his wife, Peg, of Heath, Robert Ferguson and his wife, Donna, of Canton, Barbara Theodore and her husband, Tom, of Canton, Catherine Ferguson and her wife, Vicki, of Foxboro, Christine Dadasis and her husband, Robert, of Canton, and Christopher Ferguson and his wife, Kerry, of Walpole. Also survived by her adoring granddaughters, Madalyn Sheehan and Victoria and Ava White, all of Canton, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Mary Ferguson, of Canton; her sisters Patricia and Clare; her mother-in-law, Alice (White) Garrison, her sister-in-law, Donna, and her brother-in-law, George.

Having grown up in Canton, she attended Saint John the Evangelist School and graduated from Canton High School in 1974. A few years later, thanks to taking a trip with one of her brothers to Chicago, she met her husband, Michael, with whom she was blessed to spend 42 years of marriage. She spent the first few years of her marriage following Michael through his service in the United States Air Force until they ultimately chose to return to their Canton roots to raise their children. During their marriage they enjoyed traveling together, with some of their most memorable trips being those where they took motorcycle road trips to places like Florida and British Columbia with no agenda but the road ahead of them.

Dorothy had a love for a simple life. She thrived on living so close to many of her siblings and their families, which always allowed for a quick visit, family gatherings, making plans to go for breakfast, or simply keeping each other company while running an errand. She was an incredibly loving and supportive mother who was always there for her children at a moment’s notice. She had a very special bond with her granddaughters and truly felt blessed to have all three of them living so close by. She was quite crafty through her years and it seems she was always creating something, whether it was stuffed bunnies and bears, holiday decorations or most recently her pebble rock art creations for “Dot Rocks,” which she enjoyed making and customizing for others. Dot had a love for the beach and enjoyed hunting for sea glass, beach rocks and driftwood. She loved going away with her family and siblings and spending time with them, especially her trips to Lake Winnipesaukee and South Carolina. Often, she could be found sitting on her deck, enjoying the fresh air and soaking in the sunshine, while watching the birds and squirrels outside.

She worked for many years as a nursing aide and then medical records clerk at the Hellenic Nursing Home in Canton and most recently returned to work at the Ellis Nursing Home in Norwood as a medical records clerk, having also worked there many years ago as a nursing aide. Over the years she was the incredible private caretaker of so many, including the elderly and disabled. She truly enjoyed getting to know those she was caring for, their families and telling stories back and forth. They became an extension of her family.

Her contagious laugh, smile, comforting words and advice, the way she could craft and create different things — often making something beautiful out of nothing — and the impact she has had on so many people will surely be missed.

After losing both of their parents at a young age, Dorothy and her siblings found themselves extremely fortunate to have the support and resources of various local organizations. Donations in her memory can be made to: Saint Vincent de Paul, 1860 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021.

A funeral mass was held Monday in St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton. Burial private. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=65167

Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 12 2020. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.