Dolores “Dee” M. McCarthy

She was born on Sept. 2, 1930, in Iron Mountain, the daughter of the late Dominic Ruffatto and the late Margherita “Rita” (Benso) Ruffatto. Dolores attended Iron Mountain Schools, graduating with the Class of 1948. She was a majorette with the marching band and often shared memories about old classmates and the wonderful times they all had together. Always a Mountaineer, her yearbook was always on her bed or dresser, filled with notes, clippings and bits of information about old classmates.

Following graduation, she worked at WMIQ, then at Michigan Bell as a switchboard operator. During that time, she was able to do some traveling with her girlfriends and spoke of their adventures to Colorado and to Dearborn to visit her older brothers who were working with the auto companies.

Dolores married William “Mac” McCarthy on May 25, 1956. Mac was with the Michigan State Police, so they moved around the state to Traverse City, Ithaca, Iron River and finally to Livonia. Once settled in Livonia, Dee made many lifelong friends, and in addition to being a mostly stay-at-home mom, she worked part time as a Franklin High School Lunchroom Monitor and was the neighborhood Avon lady. She was a longtime member of the Hawthorne Swingers Golf League from 1972 until they disbanded the league 30-plus years later. She was also a member of the Devonaires and Merri Mergers Bowling Teams.

After retirement she and Mac became snowbirds, wintering in Naples, Fla., where she stayed active in Condo Association events and the Red Hats Club.

She and Mac celebrated 54 years together before his passing in January 2010. In her later years, she relished time with her granddaughters, relaxing with crossword puzzles and sitting on her front porch in the evenings, visiting with neighbors or friends and handing out treats to the little ones and any dogs being walked. Grandma Dee was known by the neighbor kids and she loved it.

Dolores is survived by her sons, Mike McCarthy and Jon (Teresa) McCarthy; grandchildren, Sarah Jensen, Sydnie McCarthy, Megan (James) Rosati and Dan (Jane) DeJaeger; her sister, Lucille (Henry) Bartolameolli; a brother-in-law, Thomas (Charlene) McCarthy; William’s son and daughters, Francis (Marianne) McCarthy, Mary McCarthy Bray, the late Holly (Tony) Biolo and their children: Matt (April) McCarthy, Erin (Scott) Hoffman, Rae Anne (Kevin) Seat, Taylor McCarthy-Teasley, Tony (Jodi) Mortier, Reed Mortier and Shainna (Matt) Szwet.

She is further survived by many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dolores was preceded in death by her daughter, Lynn Marie; her brothers, Nick, Dominic and Joseph Ruffatto; and sisters, Anne Spigarelli, Eva St. Arnauld and Adeline Ruffatto.

The family will receive visitors at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Avenue in Iron Mountain, from 2 to 6 pm. on Thursday, March 21.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. the following morning, Friday, March 22 at Immaculate Conception Church, 500 Blaine Street in Iron Mountain, with Fr. Mike Chenier officiating. Burial will be at Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dolores M. McCarthy online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.