In Memoriam – Dorothy Lucey
Florence, MA – Dorothy (Dot) Louise Bertrand Lucey, 82, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and nurse, passed away at home on November 23 rd following a brief encounter with cancer.
Born in Northampton to George H. and Mary Louise (Drake) Bertrand, Dot was the first-born of the Bertrand offspring, followed by her twin brothers Dick and Don in 1944 and her sister Deb in 1956. After graduating from Northampton High School in 1958, Dot began her nursing studies at the Burbank Hospital School of Nursing in Fitchburg, then completed her education at Fitchburg State College where she received her BS in Nursing in 1962. A few years later, she attended Westfield State College where she received her MED in 1973.
Dot met her future husband and lifetime partner Jim Lucey in 1959 when he walked into Newbury’s on Main Street in Northampton. Recently home from his service in the Air Force, Jim saw a beautiful girl working behind the candy counter. He asked a friend who she was, soon dated her, and that was the start of a 59-year union that was truly meant to be. They married in 1963 and have been happy ever since as members of a large and loving family and sharing countless travels, golf at Northampton Country Club, numerous friendships, UMass basketball games, Red Sox Spring Training, and so much more. After living on North Main Street in Williamsburg for over 50 years, they moved to Florence for the remainder of Dot’s life, surrounded by friends and acquaintances.
Dot began her beloved nursing career in the maternity ward of Cooley Dickenson Hospital as a student nurse before joining the Practical Nursing program as a nursing instructor at Smith Vocational School in 1966. She then became assistant coordinator then full coordinator in 1976 and continued in that position for 16 years, retiring in 1992. She took great pride in the Practical Nursing program and the resulting success of so many of its graduates, many of whom she encountered years after, with adoration and reconnection. Dot was very proud of her contribution to, and success with, the program, and of her nursing colleagues (to mention a few, Kathryn Callahan, Susan Gusan, and Jean O’Dea). Dot’s community service and countless volunteer efforts included the Williamsburg’s Meekins Library, Our Lady of the Hills Church in Haydenville, the Anne T. Dunphy School in Williamsburg, and many more.
Dot leaves behind countless relatives and friends. Her immediate family who will miss her forever include her husband of almost 60 years, Jim Lucey, her best friend and daughter Kate (Lucey) Flanagan and husband Dan from Upton, her treasured granddaughter Lucey, her adored sister and daily phone- mate Deb O’Leary and husband John, her beloved sister-in-law Louise Lucey Walton, and all of the Bertrand and Lucey/Walton/Wood/Nolan/Riccio families, including many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Dot loved and enjoyed her longtime membership and truest of friends at Northampton Country Club where she played golf for more than 50 years. Golf was a fun part of her life, and NCC was her oasis for friendships, laughter, card games, and her competitive spirit.
Dot thoroughly enjoyed her days on Cape Cod where she spent many summers off with her daughter Kate, going to the beach, playing golf, and enjoying endless sunny days and good friends. Later in life, Dot and Jim began going to Florida during the winter months, avoiding the New England weather and spending time with back-home friends who also shared the love of Fort Myers, enjoying Red Sox Spring Training, restaurants, and golf courses.
Dot’s kindness, generosity and spirit have spread far and wide, and will be remembered forever. Known for her compassionate nature, sense of humor, love of sports, enjoyment of reading, and infectious smile/laugh, she will long be remembered for her fun-filled and incredibly loving marriage to Jim, sharing laughs and companionship at Northampton Country Club, enjoying time with her South Hadley- based gourmet club, reconnecting with her Burbank girls, contributing time and donations to local charities and organizations, spending numerous and wonderful holidays at the White House Farm in Southampton, for her amazingly close and special relationship with her daughter Kate, and most of all, for enjoying every possible moment with her granddaughter Lucey.
Dot’s family would like to thank relatives and friends for their numerous displays of kindness throughout these recently challenging times. Dot wanted to make sure to acknowledge and thank her loving family and countless friends for the time and friendship given to her over the course of her lifetime, the most special of whom are Kathryn Callahan, Linda Larkin, Elaine Parsons, and Judy Hinkley.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 4-7 pm at Czelusniak Funeral Home, 173 North Street in Northampton. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10 am at Our Lady of the Hills Church in Haydenville, followed by a burial ceremony at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Leeds.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dot’s name to the Northampton Survival Center, 265 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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