Dorothea M Feehley

Dorothea (McEleney) Feehley passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024 after being surrounded by her family during the final days of her life. She was the beloved wife of Lawrence B. Feehley who predeceased Dorothea after they shared 58 years of marriage.

Dorothea was born on January 15, 1937, to James McEleney and Hannah (Harkin) McEleney of Clonmany, County Donegal, Ireland. Dorothea attended school in Boston, MA graduating from Archbishop Cushing High School in 1955.

Soon after graduating high school, Dorothea began working as a payroll clerk at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard, where she met her future husband, Lawrence. The couple married in November 1959, and raised a family that included four children: Maryann Kanter of Margate, FL (Scott Kanter), James of Wilton, CT (Joanne Feehley), Christopher Michael of Marblehead, MA (Heidi Jarchow), and Brian Patrick of Coral Springs, FL (Julie Silva).

In the sixties as the young couple’s need for space grew, they purchased a home in Brockton, MA and established roots in St. Nicholas Parish, where they developed lifelong friendships with the Fernbergs, the Leonards, and the Raymonds – with who they created many fond memories of card nights, dinner dances, and many cruises – the favorite being to Bermuda.

Dorothea was known as Dottie to friends and neighbors, Doro to Lawrence, and to her siblings – who she adored - she was ‘Sissy’. As the youngest of eleven children, she was the “baby”. She always enjoyed gatherings with her siblings, their children, and her growing brood.

Dorothea loved reading, poetry, history, singing, dancing, and most of all trivia games – which she exceled at. Those who called her knew not to call at 7:30pm when Jeopardy was on because she was busy. Upon moving to Florida, Lawrence and Dorothea became very active in the Port St. Lucie Elks Club where they made many new friends.

Dorothea is predeceased by siblings Jane Connolly, Patrick McElaney, Emily Gilot, Ann Fitzgerald, Mary Wall, Joseph McElaney, James McElaney, Francis McElaney, Alfred McElaney, and Charles McElaney.

Dorothea will be lovingly remembered by her children, their spouses, her grand children Elise Kaiser, Taylor Feehley, Ryan Feehley, Mitchell Feehley, Kerrin Welsh, Owen Feehley, Declan Feehley, great granddaughter Quinn Feehley, sister-in-laws Marilyn McElaney and Dorothy McElaney, Lawrence’s siblings and cousins, lifelong friend Marie “Chickie” Fernberg, and several much loved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Coral Springs, FL at 10:00am Tuesday October 15, 2024. Burial will be private.

Should you wish to remember Dorothea please consider a contribution in lieu of flowers to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or The Pet Cottage (www.thepetcottage.org).

Kraeer Funeral Home is honored to assist Dottie's family in their time of need.