Obituary: Dorothy Margaret (McGowan) Jesser

Dorothy Margaret (McGowan) Jesser of Reading, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Born in Boston, Dorothy is the loving daughter of the late Charles McGowan and Honora (Cripps) McGowan. Dorothy is a warm, gentle & kind daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, in-law, aunt, and friend who will be truly missed by all.

Dorothy grew up in Jamaica Plain with her parents and three siblings. After losing her father, her Aunt Dot moved in with the family. Dorothy and Dot (her namesake) were very close. Dorothy (Dottie) met her husband Robert (Bob) Jesser one summer night in Falmouth, and it was love at first sight. She was a pretty blonde who made him laugh. They married in April of 1964 and lived in Dorchester and Brookline. Eventually, they bought a house and moved to Reading. They started a family with Jennifer’s arrival in 1971 and David’s in 1974. The family lived in Reading, where they spent many years together in a loving home. Dottie went to work at Chomerics, where she had a career first in Collections, then later at Parker Hannifin as a Sales Assistant. Dottie adored her family and developed many special and life-long friendships. She was the glue that bound everyone together. Her mother and Aunt Dot moved to Cedar Glen in Reading, and Dottie helped care for them until their deaths. Eventually, Dottie helped to care for her husband Bob as his health declined, and they sold the house in Reading and moved to Tewksbury. They were married for 47 years. After Bob’s death, Dottie moved to Wilmington and then finally back to Reading to Cedar Glen. Besides her children, her greatest love was for her Grandchildren. Dottie loved being a Nana to her six grandchildren and spoiled them rotten. She was their biggest fan and greatest supporter attending sporting events, school events and concerts or plays they were in. And they loved her dearly. She would text and Facetime with them as often as she could. 

Dottie was very funny and outgoing. She talked to anyone and everyone and had an opinion on everything. She loved to read and loved her Dunkin coffee with a plain stick. And according to her, she invented the word “wicked.” She was a true New Englander.

Dorothy is the beloved wife of the late Robert Jesser. She is the devoted mother of Jennifer Regan and her husband Kevin and David Jesser and his partner Catie MacWilliams. The cherished grandmother of Shae Regan, Erin Regan, Daxton Jesser, Phin Jesser, Indrani Jesser, and Anna Regan, Dorothy is the dear sister of James McGowan and the late Richard McGowan and the late Robert McGowan. She is also survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Funeral from the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street READING on Saturday, September 10th at 8am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Dorothy’s Eternal Life in Saint Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street Reading at 9am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Dorothy’s Family on Friday, September 9th, from 4-7pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Dorothy’s memory to Friends of The Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue Reading, Massachusetts 01867.

For more information, facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Margaret (McGowan) Jesser, please visit our flower store.

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