Dolores “Dolly” Mead, 85, died peacefully on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the Vermont Veterans’ Home. She was born on May 22, 1932 in Danbury, CT to John and Irene Meyer. On September 20, 1952, she married her husband Wallace “Wally” Mead, who predeceased her in death on July 10, 2002. They enjoyed a strong marriage and created a wonderful life, raising four children in Shaftsbury, Vermont.
Dolly spent a number of years dedicated to raising her children and helping Wally run his painting business. After her children were in school, she worked for Hemmings Motor News for many years. Her outgoing, warm personality made her particularly effective at the Hemmings Motor News car shows and she ended her career doing what she loved – traveling from car show to car show with her husband. Hemmings launched a “Dolly and Wally” spotters club and people all over the country would write to Hemmings when they were spotted in their large Hemmings truck. Nobody was more excited to see that truck pulling up, however, than her grandchildren. The sound of the horn meant grandma and pop-pop had arrived, always bringing the latest car show trinkets as gifts. In retirement, Dolly and Wally went on many road trips with family and friends, and enjoyed winters in Florida.
Dolly’s home was always an anchor for family and friends. Holidays were festive, Sunday afternoon family meals were frequent, and her door always open.
She spent the last years of her life living among friends at Cora B. Whitney in Bennington and spent the last few months of her life in the skilled and compassionate care of the staff at the Vermont Veterans’ Home.
She is survived and adored by her four children and their spouses: Lisa & Tim French of Wakefield, RI, Linda & Gary Marsha of Shaftsbury, VT, Jim & Anne-Marie Mead of Beverly Hills, CA, Laura Mead and Dave Kendall of Dover, KS, and her sister and dear friend, Irene Anderson of Danbury, CT.
Dolly is also survived by her biggest fan club, her grandchildren: Cori and Megan Mackey; Kim Marsha and Adam Agnew; Shawn and Holly Thibodeau; Matthew Mead; Racheal Marsha; Travis and Melissa Thibodeau; Gina Mead; Mead McMurphy and Nathan Schroeder; Danielle French, and eleven great grandchildren.
A life celebration and mass will be held on Saturday, June 17th at Noon at St. John the Baptist Church, 3-5 Houghton Street in North Bennington. A reception will follow immediately after the service at St. John’s where we will have a time for remembrances for anyone wishing to share.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cora B Whitney Senior Living Facility. Donations on her behalf can be sent to Shires Housing, 302 South Street Bennington, VT 05201 and on the memo line please include: "Cora B- Dolly". There is also donate button on the website www.shires.org.

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