Dorothy Madeline Hayes, 90, of Seattle, WA, formerly of Gloucester, MA, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024. The only child of the late Thomas and Mildred (McLean) Hayes, Dorothy was born on September 5, 1933, in Baltimore, MD.
A soft-spoken mother of four and grandmother of five, Dorothy had a courageous spirit. Her fortitude revealed itself in many ways throughout her life. Dorothy’s sense of determination and deep caring for others shaped the paths she chose, enriching the lives of family members and friends along the way.
As East Hempstead High School’s drum majorette, Dorothy (Dottie) led the marching band with her expert baton twirling and winning smile. She wowed parade goers, tossing and catching flags and fire batons with a confidence and surety that belied her quiet nature. From the time she was the string bass player in her school orchestra, Dorothy developed a lifelong interest in music. She loved listening to the arias of Andrea Bocelli and performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Dorothy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Alfred University in Alfred, NY in 1954. She excelled in this challenging program, graduating just shy of her 21st birthday. While at Alfred, Dorothy met her future husband, Albert E. Paladino, then a student in Alfred’s ceramic engineering program. The couple wed in 1956. Together, they raised their four children in Watertown and Needham, MA, and were married for 23 years. Dorothy believed that a good education was of paramount importance for all children. A dedicated mother, she encouraged her own to go to college and pursue their passions.
In 1987, Dorothy fulfilled her dream of living near the ocean and moved to Gloucester, MA. She lived in her home on Hillside Court for the next 20 years and was an active member of the community. Dorothy enthusiastically contributed her time and talent to Gloucester’s 375th anniversary celebration in 1998. She loved learning about the history of Cape Ann, especially its granite quarries, and collected books by local authors about the area’s geology and natural beauty. A treasured copy of Hammers on Stone by Barbara Erkkila is among them. Dorothy shared her reverence and enthusiasm for the rocky coast with her friends and family, and loved to show them her favorite places on Cape Ann, including Plum Cove Beach, Folly Cove, and Halibut Point State Park.
Dorothy’s nursing career started when she was a student nurse at Bellevue Hospital in NY. She later became the school nurse at Newman Junior High School in Needham, and then worked for more than 10 years as a Medical Surgical RN at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA. Over the years, Dorothy cared for hundreds of patients with the kindness and compassion she showed to everyone who knew her. She volunteered for Red Cross Blood Drives and advocated with her fellow nurses for better wages and working conditions. Dorothy pursued her love of nursing for many years before trying something completely new. With her fondness for cooking and the Gloucester community, Dorothy made soups and sandwiches for the Glass Sailboat café and greeted guests at the Harborview Inn.
A doting grandmother, Dorothy’s grandchildren were the light of her life. “Grandma Dot” kept a ready supply of toys for whenever her grandchildren visited. There were plenty of buckets and shovels, stuffed bears, picture books, crayons, and child-sized chairs. She was known for her signature giant oatmeal cookies and beautiful wreaths made from pinecones collected wherever she went. Dorothy so valued the wares of local artisans that she often gave them as special gifts: an ornament or trivet from The Pewter Shop in Bearskin Neck, a bowl or lamp made by David Archibald from Plum Cove Pottery. Her gifts endure in our hearts and homes, reminding us all of Dorothy.
In 2007, Dorothy embarked on her next big adventure, moving to Seattle where her eldest and youngest sons, Thomas and Paul, both lived. There she expanded her horizons, exploring Seattle’s rich culture and history, much as she had done in Gloucester. Dorothy kept herself well-informed, avidly reading her local newspapers on both coasts — The Boston Globe, the Gloucester Daily Times , and The Seattle Times . Dorothy’s family members often took her on outings to the Seattle region’s many parks and historic attractions. She delighted in visits to the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Volunteer Park, the Japanese Garden, Green Lake, and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Dorothy especially enjoyed trips to the local dog park just to watch the dogs play.
Dorothy leaves her loving children Thomas Paladino and his wife Elizabeth Shea of Seattle, WA, Robert Paladino and his wife Ellen Paladino of Ponte Vedre Beach, FL, Catherine Paladino of Lexington, MA, and Paul Paladino and his partner Ari Worthman of Seattle, WA. Dorothy is also survived by her loving grandchildren Annie and Chloë Paladino Thorburn, and Joseph and Natalie Paladino. Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Regina Paladino Boies.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the devoted staff of Viewhaven Homes and Aging Wisdom in Seattle for their dedication to Dorothy’s care and wellbeing.
Honoring Dorothy’s wishes, her cremation remains will be scattered to the sea with a private memorial service. The family requests that those wishing to express sympathy consider donating to one of the charities below, or to their favorite charity in Dorothy’s name.
Washington Arboretum Foundation Seattle
https://arboretumfoundation.org/
Greenbelt, Essex County’s Land Trust
https://ecga.org/
Dementia Society of America
https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate
Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation
https://foundation.providence.org/wa/hospiceseattle