Doris Ann Bouchard

Doris Ann McMullen Bouchard “Dottie”, was born on April 17, 1929, in Largo, FL at her parent’s home on Keene Road. She passed away on August 16, 2024, in Dunedin, FL. She was a direct descendant of Daniel McMullen, one of the seven McMullen brothers which have been credited with much of the early settlement of Pinellas County. Growing up in this area during the first part of the 20th century was a vastly different experience compared to the area as we know it today, especially during the Great Depression. Most of the usable land in the county was devoted to raising cattle and growing citrus. Dottie’s father, Robbie McMullen, was involved in these ventures as well as being an early mail carrier in the area while her mother, Mary Diffenworth McMullen, helped raise their family of 4 kids during a time when food was practically a luxury. Dottie was very familiar with meals coming from their own garden and from the chickens and livestock they raised. Dottie’s stories of those times have always intrigued listeners to anyone privileged to hear them, whether it was her narrations at Heritage Village where she regularly volunteered, or more enjoyably for her, sharing her memories with her beloved grandkids and great grandchildren.

Growing up in those times also meant you knew practically everyone in the area and there was a good possibility you were related to a large portion of them. While attending Largo High School, Dottie met a young man, Carl Bouchard, whose family had moved here from Vermont. Dottie was a cheerleader at Largo High and Carl, a star football player, so of course, they were destined to be together. After High School, they wanted to get married but knew each of their parents would not have been in favor of such nonsense, so they took it upon themselves, along with a couple of friends as witnesses, and eloped to Valdosta, GA (the closest destination for 17-year-olds without consent to get married).

They began their life together working hard to get ahead and dreamed of having their own business someday, but in the meantime, in 1949, they welcomed their first baby, Carlanne, to the family… then in 1951, baby # 2, Bob, joined the group. By 1955, Dottie and Carl were able to begin their own business careers when they opened the first funeral home in Largo, aptly named, Bouchard Funeral Home. Their 3rd child, Joe, came along in 1956, so besides keeping up with the kids, Dottie worked as the bookkeeper, viewing attendant, beautician, and just about anything that was needed at the funeral home, including dispatch for the ambulance service which was an additional service performed by funeral homes at that time. Work and raising all those kids would have been exhausting, and most likely was, but not so much that they couldn’t welcome another baby. Their 4th child, Ray, was born in 1957. So as all their dreams were coming to fruition, Dottie was still finding time to entertain friends, colleagues, and support Carl as a Commissioner for the Town of Largo. WOW, right???

With all of that going on, Dottie and Carl, who happened to be incredibly talented singers that shared a love for stages and productions, decided to help form the “Footlight Theater Operetta Guild” performing popular musicals, like Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, Showboat, Guys and Dolls, and the list goes on. They performed each musical for multiple sold-out shows, primarily at the Largo High School Auditorium during most of the 1960’s. During this exciting era, they also made time to welcome one more daughter, Missy, to the family group in 1966.

By the early 1970’s, the family was complete with 5 children and multiple thriving businesses. However, an adventure gene was creeping into the picture. Dottie’s dad, Robbie, and her brother, Kenny, had quite a bit of land in northwest Arkansas, where they raised cattle and could experience life with no traffic. The Bouchard family had been vacationing at that property for years and everyone really enjoyed the area, so once that adventure gene took over, the whole family moved out to their own place in those Ozark Mountains and tried their hand at farming and laid-back life. Even though it was a completely different life from what all the kids may have been used to, the whole family developed a valuable appreciation for life in a different aspect… it tied the 2 separate areas together by providing more of an insight of how life was when Dottie and Carl were growing up.

Once the adventure gene subsided to the reality gene, and as the older kids were taking new directions toward their own life’s adventures, Dottie, Carl, and younger kids found themselves heading back to Pinellas County (this time Dunedin) resuming work in the Funeral Homes. Later, as the rest of the kids headed out to discover their directions in life, priorities for Dottie and Carl were zoning in on spending spare time with new grandkids, acquired a small farm with Ray in North Carolina as a getaway and to be closer to Missy and Carly’s families in the Greensboro, NC area.

Carl sadly passed away in 2005 following a series of health issues, and once the NC farm was sold, Dottie spent most of her time back in Dunedin, FL, but also collaborated with Carly and Missy to get a Beach House at Sunset Beach, North Carolina while still home-basing in Pinellas County.

Another one of her passions had always been tap dancing, so while in her 80’s, she joined a group of dancers in Dunedin known as the “Happy Taps.” She loved performing and this group was just what she needed, back on the stage in full costume, entertaining crowds once again!!!

One of the most recent highlights in her life was finally receiving the “Senior Most Lady” Award at the 4th of July McMullen Family Reunion which is held annually in Pinellas County and attended by hundreds of McMullens and their relatives every year. She finally got it this year at 95 years old, just as her father had done previously when he was 95.

Dottie was survived by her children, Carly Spangler (David), Bob Bouchard (Gloria), Joe Bouchard (Coleen), Ray Bouchard, Missy Harrison (Rob), 5 grandchildren, Ryan Bouchard, Dustin Bouchard, Matt Spangler, Hannah Harrison, Camden Harrison, 2 step grandchildren, Brad Horner, and Justin Norman, and 16 wonderful great grandchildren…

Dottie (Mom, Auntie Dot, Grandma Dottie) will be remembered for her love of life, laughter, and spreading joy to everyone she encountered.

In remembrance of Doris Ann McMullen Bouchard's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Heritage Village, Largo, FL or to Suncoast Hospice, Palm Harbor, FL in her name.