Dorothea (Dolly) A. Holmes of Bradenton, FL passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2023 at the age of 98. Dorothea was born May 22, 1925 in Boston, MA to Cornelius and Mary (McGrath) Duffy. Dolly was the youngest of 6 children. On November 11, 1948, Dolly married the love of her life, Kenneth (Kenny) William Holmes. They had 2 children, Neil William Holmes and Kevin Joseph Holmes.
In 1977, Dolly and Kenny moved South for warmer weather and landed in Holmes Beach, FL. They spent many years living a few blocks from the beach and enjoying island life. While there, they attended St Bernard Catholic Church. Both Dolly and Kenny, were volunteers in the Meals on Wheels program for years.
In the early 2000s, they moved to Bradenton, FL where they resided for the remainder of their lives. In retirement, Dolly enjoyed being a member of the local red hat club, schooling her opponents in bridge, attending St. Joseph Catholic Church, and visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially her favorite, Timmy.
Dorothea is predeceased by her mother, father, husband, and both sons. She is also predeceased by her brother and 4 sisters, William Duffy, Mary Cornelius Duffy, Gertrude Holmes, Ruth Lally, and Catherine Duffy. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Fane Vea Holmes, her 4 grandchildren, Kenneth, Neil (Ann), Timothy (Mandy), and Kristina Holmes. She is also survived by 6 great grandchildren, Connor, Makayla, Ava, Jacob, Madilyn, and Noah.
Dorothea's memorial service will take place in Billerica, MA at 10 am on Friday May 24, 2024 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church with burial to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Lowell, MA.
