Obituary of Dolores Theresa McDonald O'Sullivan
Dody finally made it into the arms of her Loving Jesus on Sep 30, 2022 after a heroic struggle with ALS and its associated COPD. That’s the same heavenly birthdate as her namesake and favorite saint, Thérèse.
Born in San Francisco Feb 22, 1939, to SFFD veteran Emmett F. McDonald and his wonderful wife Alma (Bragg), Dody was raised in The City and was a graduate of St. Cecilia’s Grammar School (1952), Mercy High School (1956), and Mary’s Help College of Nursing (1959). She was the oldest of three girls, her sisters being Ginger (Virginia) Winslow and Tracey (Alma) McDonald.
Dody was the epitome of joyful caring, loving, and serving in Christ’s Name. From nursing in San Francisco and San Jose, CA and The Woodlands, TX, to PeeWee Football in Ann Arbor, to being a founding volunteer for Interfaith of The Woodlands, to following her dad as a firefighter (volunteer), to helping get the diocese to establish Sts. Simon and Jude in The Woodlands, to serving our parish for almost 40 years as a favorite lector, scripture study student and leader, teacher for First Holy Communion, liturgical extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and especially taking Holy Communion to the homebound – Dody’s charm and loving attention blessed everyone she met. Her devotion to others even led her to become a Spiritual Director via the Pecos Monastery in New Mexico.
Married to her oh-so-blessed cousin-instigated blind date Jack (John D.) for 63 years (thank you, Buzzy Manick!), incredible mother to Lorine Dionisio (and her Frank) of Edmond, OK and Richard O’Sullivan (and his Maribel) of Madison, WI, and five stillborn daughters whom she is now enjoying for the first time, and truly beloved grandmother to Liam and Aaron O’Sullivan and Danny Dionisio.
Dody and Jack travelled with his work and enjoyed time spent in Europe and Australia and several US locations, but San Francisco and The Woodlands were always “home”. Leisure travel included Ireland (of course ;-), two pilgrimages to Rome and two to the Holy Land, and many tropical islands. Her later years were spent in generous support of many charitable groups.
Everyone who knew Dody will miss her achingly but will rejoice that she is now beyond the suffering and enjoying the life Jesus promised to His “good and faithful servants” – so good, and so faithful, and such a blessing to all as servant for the Lord.
We will be celebrating Dody’s life here and hereafter with a Vigil and Rosary from 6 to 8pm on Thursday 10/6 and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am Friday 10/7 at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, with Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery , Colma, CA on Tuesday 10/11.
In lieu of flowers, we would greatly appreciate a well-said Rosary and if so inclined, donation to John Paul II Medical Research Institute, who will not tolerate use of embryonic stem cells: JP2MRI, 2500 Crosspark Rd #W230, Coralville, IA 52241. Note your check “for ALS research”.