Dorothy Allison Caprera

The Honorable Dorothy Allison Caprera (“Dorsey”), 87, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, died suddenly on January 3, 2016. She was born on January 5, 1928 to the late Dwight and Stella Allison and grew up in Belmont. She was a graduate of Simmons College and Suffolk University Law School where she served for many years as a Trustee. In an era when few women became lawyers, Dorsey pioneered as the first woman to serve as President of the Cambridge Bar Association and was subsequently appointed as an Administrative Law Judge of the Industrial Accident Board. She also served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers and continued to mentor women in the legal profession.

Together with her late husband Attorney Anthony Caprera, she continued to practice law and to travel extensively both for professional meetings and personal enrichment. Dorsey enjoyed walking especially by the seashore. She read extensively and served on the board of the West Yarmouth Library for several years. Her many friends can attest to her interest in cultural affairs and especially in world events and politics.

She is survived by her son Stephen Antonelli of Vermont, her stepson Robert Caprera of Southbridge and her step-grandchildren Ashley, Paul and Michael Caprera. She is also survived by her brother Dwight L. Allison Jr. of California, her nieces Barbara Lynn Allison of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Laurie A. Dixon of California, and her nephew Dwight L. Allison III of Rye, New Hampshire, together with several great-nieces and nephews.

Burial will be private and donations in her memory may be made to the West Yarmouth Library. Arrangements are under the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 40 MacArthur Blvd. Bourne, MA 02532.