Mary Edna Dorion

DORION, Mary Edna of South Boston. November 9, 1919 - June 3, 2020. Mary Edna Dorion, also known to family and friends as Edna, passed away on June 3rd at the age of 100. She was born in South Boston, MA to the late Joseph W. and Edna Mary Haugh. Edna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 69 years, Francis W. Dorion, her brother Joseph Haugh; her sister Helen Feehan; her son Francis Dorion Jr and his wife Claire Betancourt; her son Paul J. Dorion; her daughter Anne M. Leahy and her grandson Paul F. Dorion. She is survived by her daughter Maureen Enos and her husband William and her son-in-law Edward Leahy.

Edna was a beloved grandmother to Elizabeth Wyer, Amy Donnelly, Robert Dorion, Carol Mahar, Michael Dorion, Jennifer Leahy, Timothy Leahy and Andrew Leahy and great grandmother to Sam, Matthew, Aidan, Isabel, Jake, Clare, Sophie, Hannah, Colin, Priscilla, Michael, Frankie, Leo, Henry, Madeline, Ethan and Isaac.

Edna was born and raised in South Boston. After graduating from South Boston High School in 1936, Edna worked for a time where she met Francis (Frank) W. Dorion and they wed in June 1938. Edna continued to work while raising her four children, Francis (Buddy), Maureen, Anne and Paul. In 1971, Edna and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon, then to Danville, Illinois and then back to South Boston in the mid -1980s.

A life long student, Edna never tired of learning and giving back to her community. In 1982, Edna received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Eastern Illinois University. Back in Boston, she gave back by helping with literacy in the public schools. Edna was devoted to the arts. She was a proud member of the South Boston Art Association, where she showcased her writing skills and mentored others. She was published in “Born Before Plastics, Stories from Boston's Most Enduring Neighborhoods”. In her mid-80s, Edna went to an open casting call and was an extra in the 2007 Gone Baby Gone movie. Edna also enjoyed traveling and often used trips to Europe to further her genealogy research. For many decades, Edna and Frank had a house in Landaff, NH, where they could get away from the city to relax with family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated on:

Thursday, June 18th at 11am at St. Paul's Cemetery in Hingham

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to:

Boston Partners in Education, https://bostonpartners.org

in memory of Mary Edna Dorion

to support the academic achievement and personal growth of Boston’s public school students.
 

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