Dorothy (Shores) O’Callaghan

MOULTONBOROUGH, NH – Dorothy Shores O’Callaghan, 71, died February 11, 2010, at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center of complications from surgery, following a brief illness.

Born February 6, 1939, in Waterville, Maine, Dottie was lovingly raised by her parents, Ella and Fay Shores. She attended Waterville schools, graduating in 1957 from Waterville High School. Following her graduation, she worked for the Waterville Sentinel.

While visiting in Boston, Dottie met Ron O’Callaghan, a Colby College student, who was living and working in Boston. In her early career, she resided in Boston, working for the Boston Five. The couple married in 1961 but soon relocated to Tilton, in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, where their daughter Robin was born in 1962. In the mid-1960s, she and her husband bought and restored the Jewett Homestead, the oldest house in Laconia, and filled it with antiques they collected. During this time, Dottie cultivated a profound interest in politics, actively campaigning for Democratic candidates. In 1968, she attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as an alternate delegate for Eugene McCarthy. She and her husband were featured in a film documentary about this period entitled, “A Personal Decision.” Dottie and Ron divorced in 1970, but Dottie’s political activism continued throughout her life.

Dottie worked for several years for The Laconia Evening Citizen in the advertising department. During the 1970s, Dottie worked for Nalew’s and then in the hospitality industry. She was employed by the DeNauw Family in their restaurants, and, later, she joined the Wayfarer staff as an events coordinator.

Her aversion to New England winters and her love of golf took Dottie to Florida in 1979. She settled on the West Coast and worked in the Sarasota area in the banking industry for several years, culminating in a position as vice president of the First National Bank, Venice. Later, she was employed with All Stat Home Health in human resources and healthcare worker dispatch. With her partner, David Rhew, she managed the golf career, training schedule, and travel arrangements of Kelly Husted, an aspiring professional golfer. Husted attributes her successful admission to Stanford University to their mentoring and support. In 1995, Dottie was recognized for hitting a hole-in-one at the Serona Golf Club.

In 2002, Dottie retired and returned to the Lakes Region, making her home in Moultonborough with her daughter and assisting in the family business. She became an enthusiastic advocate for and supporter of Jamie, Robin, and Scott.

Dottie was an avid Patriots fan, an excellent cook, and enjoyed a spirited political debate. She was a voracious reader, was well informed and passionate about her causes.

She was predeceased by her parents and by her longtime companion, David Rhew. She was the loving daughter-in-law of James and Helen O’Callaghan of Meredith, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Robin O’Callaghan Lamprey, son-in-law, Russell Scott Lamprey, grandson Russell James “Jamie” Lamprey, and her faithful dog, Mickey.

She is also mourned by her extended family: Ron and Lyn O’Callaghan of New Hampton; Jack and Nancy O’Callaghan, Rick and Sue O’Callaghan, and Paul O’Callaghan, all of Meredith. She leaves a loving niece, Cara O’Callaghan Abrantes, of Coronado, California, and a nephew, Sean O’Callaghan, of Sacramento, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral arrangements will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Moultonborough Visiting Nurse Services or to the charity of one’s choice.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is in charge of the arrangements.