Obituary for Dorothy G. McCall
McCall, Dorothy G. (nee Cannon) born July 11, 1920, of the Weymouth Section of Hamilton Township, NJ. passed away on December 1, 2022 at her home. Dot was 102 years young.
Dot was the loving wife of the late Joseph E. McCall, devoted mother of Joseph (Noreen) and Dot Carrigan, and loving grandmother to Brendan McCall (Michelle), Lynsey Rider (Jamie), Christopher Carrigan (Sharon), Jacalyn Carrigan (Allen), Michelle Carrigan (Sean) and Lisa Carrigan (Charlie) and 14 great-grandchildren.
Dot was one of three girls born in Philadelphia, PA to Roland Cannon and Agnes McHale, both immigrants to this country. Roland was born in Great Marlow, England in 1877. Roland arrived in America in 1905. Agnes was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1886 and arrived in America in 1904. They both ultimately settled in the Grays Ferry Section of South Philadelphia. Dot was the youngest of the three girls, Margaret, Laura, and Dorothy.
Dot grew up in the small, tight knit neighborhood of Grays Ferry. The neighborhood was home to many, many immigrant families, with large extended families nearby. Dot said she always longed for cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. She had none in this country. That made an indelible mark on Dot and she would strive to keep her family and friends close throughout her life.
Dot attended St Gabriel’s Grammar School and West Catholic Girls High School. Most young women during that time did not attend high school, so that was quite an accomplishment. Dot often told the story of walking back and forth to West Catholic because most of her friends could not afford bus fare. That was 2.5 miles each way to and from school, through rain and snow they made that trek.
After graduation from high school, Dot went to work at Whitman Chocolates. She packed the sampler box. In 1938 to be a sampler packer you had to be a high school graduate. She talks of going for the job interview, dressed to the nines, white gloves, and heels. She was so happy to have that job!
Dot married the love of her life on September 12, 1942, in Hartford Connecticut. Dot was a war bride. Her husband Joe was to be shipped overseas for WW2. They married before he left the country. She would tell the story of her blue velvet suit which she wore for her wedding. I’m sure she was a sight to behold. Dot was a beautiful woman. They were quite a match, Dot and Joe.
They had two children, Joe and Dotsie. They were the light of their lives. The world revolved around “my Joey” and “my Dotsie”. The best days of their lives were ahead.
Dot spent a large part of her life on Marston St in Philadelphia. She was born in that house, attended school from that house, married from that house, had both her children while living at that house, and ultimately buried both parents from that house! In 1979 she finally left Philadelphia, PA for Weymouth, NJ. The house that Dot and Joe built themselves was converted from a summer residence to a full-time family home. This move was a huge step for a girl from Grays Ferry.
Dot and Joe enjoyed winters in Florida and summers in Weymouth. Life was good and they were happy. These treks continued until 1999. Joe fell ill with his second and final bout of cancer. He passed in June 2000 at the age of 83. They had a great life with lots of cherished memories. Dot was blessed with wonderful, attentive children and grandchildren. She loved each and every one of them and they loved her. Her face would light up when she saw them. She was proud of them.
Dot lived independently until her death. Her daughter Dotsie was at her side every day to help in every way possible. Her grandchildren surrounded her continually. Dot had a blessed life.
Dot was the loving wife of the late Joseph E. McCall, devoted mother of Joseph (Noreen) and Dot Carrigan, and loving grandmother to Brendan McCall (Michelle), Lynsey Rider (Jamie), Christopher Carrigan (Sharon), Jacalyn Carrigan (Allen), Michelle Carrigan (Sean) and Lisa Carrigan (Charlie) and 14 great-grandchildren.
Dot was one of three girls born in Philadelphia, PA to Roland Cannon and Agnes McHale, both immigrants to this country. Roland was born in Great Marlow, England in 1877. Roland arrived in America in 1905. Agnes was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1886 and arrived in America in 1904. They both ultimately settled in the Grays Ferry Section of South Philadelphia. Dot was the youngest of the three girls, Margaret, Laura, and Dorothy.
Dot grew up in the small, tight knit neighborhood of Grays Ferry. The neighborhood was home to many, many immigrant families, with large extended families nearby. Dot said she always longed for cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. She had none in this country. That made an indelible mark on Dot and she would strive to keep her family and friends close throughout her life.
Dot attended St Gabriel’s Grammar School and West Catholic Girls High School. Most young women during that time did not attend high school, so that was quite an accomplishment. Dot often told the story of walking back and forth to West Catholic because most of her friends could not afford bus fare. That was 2.5 miles each way to and from school, through rain and snow they made that trek.
After graduation from high school, Dot went to work at Whitman Chocolates. She packed the sampler box. In 1938 to be a sampler packer you had to be a high school graduate. She talks of going for the job interview, dressed to the nines, white gloves, and heels. She was so happy to have that job!
Dot married the love of her life on September 12, 1942, in Hartford Connecticut. Dot was a war bride. Her husband Joe was to be shipped overseas for WW2. They married before he left the country. She would tell the story of her blue velvet suit which she wore for her wedding. I’m sure she was a sight to behold. Dot was a beautiful woman. They were quite a match, Dot and Joe.
They had two children, Joe and Dotsie. They were the light of their lives. The world revolved around “my Joey” and “my Dotsie”. The best days of their lives were ahead.
Dot spent a large part of her life on Marston St in Philadelphia. She was born in that house, attended school from that house, married from that house, had both her children while living at that house, and ultimately buried both parents from that house! In 1979 she finally left Philadelphia, PA for Weymouth, NJ. The house that Dot and Joe built themselves was converted from a summer residence to a full-time family home. This move was a huge step for a girl from Grays Ferry.
Dot and Joe enjoyed winters in Florida and summers in Weymouth. Life was good and they were happy. These treks continued until 1999. Joe fell ill with his second and final bout of cancer. He passed in June 2000 at the age of 83. They had a great life with lots of cherished memories. Dot was blessed with wonderful, attentive children and grandchildren. She loved each and every one of them and they loved her. Her face would light up when she saw them. She was proud of them.
Dot lived independently until her death. Her daughter Dotsie was at her side every day to help in every way possible. Her grandchildren surrounded her continually. Dot had a blessed life.