Plan for the Future
Dorothy “Dot” Leary Clancy passed away peacefully and entered into eternal life on August 11, 2020. Dorothy was deeply loved by her five children, eleven grandchildren, and all who knew her. Her faith was her greatest gift in life, and she passed that on to her beloved family. She loved her Irish heritage and cherished her rich Catholic faith, which never wavered.
Dorothy was born in Rocky River, Ohio on August 28, 1931, to Archie Jeremiah Leary and Dorothy Leary Smith. She attended St. Augustine’s Academy in Lakewood, Ohio and Georgetown Visitation Junior College in Washington, D.C. After the sudden death of her father, she returned home at the age of nineteen to help raise her three younger sisters. She taught the third grade at St. Bernadette’s Parochial School in Westlake, Ohio before moving to Boston with her husband, where she taught at Belmont School. She then brought her warm midwestern heart to Chatham, NJ, where she lived and raised her family for many years.
Most of her life was joyfully spent as a stay-at-home mom to five busy children and a devoted wife. Later in her life, Dorothy enjoyed a fulfilling career at Tiffany & Co., where she was frequently recognized as a top saleswoman, noted for adding clever, personal inscriptions for her clients. She was an active member of Corpus Christi Church and the Chatham community, spending many happy summers golfing at Canoe Brook Country Club and forming lifelong friendships. She loved reading the business section of the NY Times, playing bridge, decorating, trips to NYC, bobbing the waves at the Jersey Shore, and rooting for the Giants and Georgetown Hoyas. Her infectious laugh, love of life, and devotion left a lasting mark on all who were blessed to spend time with her. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, and she made each of her children and grandchildren feel that they were the most important person in the world.
Dorothy was called to join her loving son Michael Clancy after twenty-two years apart (July 4, 1998). She is celebrated by her son James Clancy and her daughters Kathleen Gates (Chip), Julia Sands (Paul), and Kerry Zochowski (Bob). Gram Dot was a devoted grandmother to Caroline and Christopher Gates, Connor, Kylie, and Christopher Clancy, Madeline, Alexander, and William Sands, and Robert, Michael, and Kelly Zochowski. Dorothy is remembered by her loving sisters and best friends Patricia Ferry and Carol Parks (Jack), brother-in-law V. Edward Terrell and cherished nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph Leary, her sister Marie Terrell, and her brother-in-law Donald Ferry.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am on Friday, August 14, 2020 at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Blvd.
Chatham, NJ 07928. An interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Michael L. Clancy ‘79 Scholarship Fund at Delbarton School, 230 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 would be greatly appreciated. In the spirit of how Dorothy lived her life, please say a prayer, be kind, and share a laugh with your loved ones.
