Barbara Ann Dolan

Barbara "Bobby" A. (Desmond) Dolan, 95, of Leominster, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Known to everyone as Bobby, she was born on March 20, 1930, in Shirley, Massachusetts, where she grew up on her beloved family farm. She is the daughter of Myra (Credit) Desmond and John Walter Desmond, MD.

Bobby graduated from Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene in Alabama with her sister Phyllis. She is a graduate of Fitchburg High School where she maintained a lifelong friendship with her dear friend, Jean.

Having been a resident in Leominster for over 60 years, Bobby was active in the community. She volunteered at Leominster Hospital and was a member of the Hospital Guild. Fitchburg High School class of 1948, Lunenburg Ladies Association and was a long time member of the Fay Club in Fitchburg. Traveling - Birthday Group with her longtime friends - making fudge, crafting, volunteering. Fiercely independent - humorous, selfless and nothing she wouldn’t do for a friend.

Bobby found joy in - endless sleepovers with her granddaughter, Delaney. Making fudge, and mailing cards for all occasions.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lunenburg where she found solace and Community and a homemaker. She lived her life dedicated to the community, family and God.

Bobby is survived by her daughter Annmarie (Dolan) Rioux, her husband David Rioux and her beloved granddaughter, Delaney Rioux; her nieces and nephews, Donna (Owens) Bowers and her husband Mac of Tyler, TX; Edward Flemma (Lori) of Center Point, TX; Theresa Flemma of New Hartford, NY; William Driscoll of Stowe, VT; and Patricia Driscoll of Stow, VT; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. And her lifelong best friend Jean Larkin.

She was predeceased in death by her husband, William “Bill" H. Dolan, Jr., her daughter, Kim Dolan, her brother, John Desmond, sister, Patricia Owens, her twin sister, Phyllis Flemma.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to her loving in-home caregivers, who became friends, for their care and compassion.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Main Street, Leominster. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to Donate.shrinerschildrens.org, Donorservices.Alz.org ,320 Nevada St #201, Newton, MA 02460; or to Our Lady of the Lake Soup Kitchen, 1400 Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg is directing arrangements.