During my final visit with Doll, she and I discussed how to get to heaven. We both agreed, it wasn&&single&&t by doing anything extraordinary, but rather by faithfully doing the ordinary. To her, successfully raising nine children was a common, ordinary thing.
She was a humble, fiercely independent, hard-working, straight-forward, determined and strong-willed woman. She always told you how it was. She took on the role of wife and mother one hundred percent and gave it her all. When others would comment on her large family, she would say, “I was blessed.” She loved all nine equally, saying she had no favourites, and was proud of each one&&single&&s talents and accomplishments.
She continually gave thanks to God when things went well, but also through all her trials. She was a happy, fun-loving woman, saying “love ya!” to everyone she met.
Whatever she had, she shared. She couldn&&single&&t wait for the first rhubarb or lettuce of spring to be up in her garden so she could take some over to her neighbours. Although she didn&&single&&t have much herself, she continually worried if others had enough money or how they were getting by.
She enjoyed her day to day routines and the comfort of her home. When she travelled anywhere, she wanted to be back in her own bed at night. The rare time she slept elsewhere, she always had her pillow and blanket in her suitcase.
She shocked us all when two days before her 73rd birthday, she hopped a plane for Australia to visit Paul. She was extremely proud of this achievement and always cherished the memories and photos.
Doll always said she had two men in her life – Saint Joseph and Brother Andre. She prayed fervently to these two saints while babies were being born, when someone was sick, and even when putting a cake into the oven. It was her devotion to these two that led to many visits to St. Joseph&&single&&s Oratory in Montreal, her final being this fall with Al. It was this trip, knowing that it would be her last, that she remembered the most fondly, claiming Al to be the perfect travel companion.
The highlight of this year for Doll was her 80th birthday. She loved having everyone together, and hearing the 3 girls play the violin was the icing on the cake. She said no other birthday could top it.
We all miss and love you Doll. You ran the race, you fought the fight. Welcome home! Enjoy your reward. You deserve it.

On Feb 2nd 1931 (Ground Hog day ) an extremely small premature baby entered this world on a cold winter night. Her father named her Dolly as she was placed in a shoe box in the corner of the wood stove unlikely to survive being so small. She arrived in this world a fighter and she was still fighting when she left it and every moment of her 80 years in between. To everyone who was fortunate to have known her we all share the same opinion that she was a strong self motivated , stubborn and completely selfless person .She touched us all with her enthusiastic and energetic approach to life …near enough was never good enough, she would say pick yourself up and try again… you can always be better and do better… At home as one of 9 children I&&single&&m sure we&&single&&d all agree from a child’s perspective that seemed like &&single&&Boot Camp&&single&&.. she ran a tight regiment of mandatory chores and responsibilities that made little or no sense at the time while everyone in the &&single&&Free World&&single&& seems to have it so much easier. Whenever a complaint was made on the subject a simple response put things into perspective. ‘I&&single&&m raising future adults she would say.. &&single&&you are a child for such a short time and an adult forever.. the adult was the priority always. Dolly had a way of coaching the very best qualities out of us all although the tasks seem meaningless they were undoubtedly the stepping stones of our future. The family has spoken numerous times of &&single&&Boot Camp&&single&& and firmly agree we are what we are today because of the “Gloves off / Real world ” approach to parenting. I for one would change nothing in my upbringing. Dolly had spent nearly every moment of her life with her own or other children on her lap. The endless tasks of changing diapers, regular feeds, cleaning and caring for the numerous kids she babysat over the years was looked on with extreme joy by Dolly. She told me very recently that she had a very happy fulfilling life and if there was any regret at all it was that she had not had another 9 kids (Hard to imaging.!) Proud photo&&single&&s covered her walls of her family and extended family (The kids who passed through &&single&&The system) all shared the same &&single&&Black is black, white is white &&single&& straight cut approach to life. To all of us who passed through her hands we were all truly blessed to have the tough love touch of Dolly..They broke the mould when Dolly was formed. A passing of an ERA never to be repeated. I have yet to meet anyone that can match her strength, stamina, resilience and positive outlook for life in general. Considering her life of true unswaying solid faith (Dolly didn&&single&&t talk the talk, she walked the walk). I have no doubt where this faith has placed her today. Heads up to the right hand man next to the &&single&&Boss&&single&& watch your job! Dolly&&single&&s checked in and she&&single&&s got a better way of dong things. I&&single&&m sure we would all agree, she&&single&&s right for the job. After 80 years of seemingly endless physical pain and emotional heartache( 9 kids will do that) and endless selfless giving, no one deserves a 5 star quality final resting place more than dolly REST IN PEACE OLD GIRL…. LOVE .. YOUR SON PAUL.

Thinking of you this weekend and knowing how hard it is to say good bye to someone you love. Please accept our sympathy. We will miss seeing her when we drive by the house.

All the Things I Needed to Know About Life I learned from My Mother: From Carol Ann

Work Hard.
Cook Your Meat Well.
Love Your God.
Put Your Family First.
Take care of your things.
Stay Active.
Play in Tune.
Always be Truthful.
Honour Your Commitments.
Never Go Outside with Wet Hair.
Be Optimistic.
Be unmoving in your convictions.
Dearest Dolly: Your absence will leave a gaping hole in the lives of all those who know you from neighbours to Lions Pool swimmers to those children you babysat to your family, children and grandchildren. I want to thank you Dolly, for the years and years of dedicated service you have given to your family. You certainly have stood as a living example of the Christian vocation of wife and mother. The countless hours you gave of yourself, the numerous sacrifices both financial and emotional you made to ensure your children had a better life will never be forgotten. I will cherish your example of dedication, perseverance, hard work and unconditional love. These are all things I hope to bring to my own family thanks to your example of sacrifice.
I feel honoured to have been gifted with your most prized possession, the piano. I will be sure our children treasure and respect it as fully as you taught us to.
Here’s to the woman who made it to her 81st year (against all odds for the baby who slept in a shoebox by the woodstove). I hope that in your final days you were able to look back with pride at your life. I hope you find all the warm sun, beautiful music, homegrown vegetables and laughs your heart desires. I will think of you when I experience these things I know you cherished most and know you are smiling down on us.
Rest in peace Dolly. You have certainly earned it.

Dear Mom: On behalf of our families we say “well done faithfull servant”. Please watch over and guide us with the help of St Joseph and St Andre…thanks for everything. Joe,Veronica and family

A special thank you to all of the McQuaid family for being a part of my life through the years (especially Al of course Your mom loved you all so dearly and was so proud of all of you. I&&single&&m so glad I was able to attend your family reunion a few years back, to catch up with every one. Dolly was a great lady who truly gave everything of herself for her kids and always did the very best she could. Dolly, rest in peace with the Lord Jesus, as reward for your faith. My deepest sympathies, Benny Ryan

My first memory of “Dolly” was when she came to visit the old Wood&&single&&s homestead each summer with Sister Mary Kieren. Then we met her again upon occasion at John and Cindy&&single&&s. And then we joined the St. James Parish and she always had a smile and comment whenever we met in the aisles coming or going into church. She was a true lady, and will be missed by all those she met with a smile and kind word. Our deepest sympathy from Ken, Anne Murray and family

My family would like to wish you and yours our deepest sympathy and condolences.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Your mother was a well known community member who was known by many, both young and old.
She will be missed but never forgotten.
The Costello Family

Please accept our sympathy at this difficult time. We were so sorry to here of Dolly&&single&&s passing. She was the most wonderful, hard working, loyal woman we know. She worked for us for 11 years and never once did she call in sick or let us down. She brought us pies for years after she wasn&&single&&t working for us.She will be sadly missed.

Dear Ben and Family,
Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your Mother.
Brenda

I am sad for the loss of a very special woman in your lives. As I learned from Carol Ann – she was an extraordinary lady.

My thoughts are with all Paul&&single&&s brothers, sisters & grandchildren.

I am deeply sad we cannot be with you all to say our goodbye&&single&&s to sweet Dolly, we will miss her greatly.

Love Sue

To Dolly&&single&&s family,
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. My mother, Rita Smith, always enjoyed her chats with your mother. I also enjoyed having a few words with your mother whether it was at church, the grocery store or the pool. She was always more concerned about others than herself. She was a woman of great faith and I know she will be greatly rewarded in heaven. I hope she and my mother get some time to have a visit up there!
Gloria Marcy (Smith)

To all of Dolly&&single&&s family I send my deepest sympathy. The neighbourhood will not be the same. I am at John&&single&&s in BC and will be unable to visit with you all. I hope you know my prayers will be with you all.

you will be sadly missed mom,no person on this earth could ever replace you,you ran day and night for all of us and we never wanted for anything,you always had a smile no matter how tired you were or how hard you ran,you were always there and helped us with everything from homework to driving us for any music lessons,places we had to go.Thanks for all the lessons of life.love you Mom and you will be forever in my heart.

To the family of Dolly we offer our deepest sympathy and prayers as your mom was a great help to my mother(Alma Ryan) when she was living taking her to church and getting groceries. God Bless Her. Sincerely Mary and Russ Brintnell.

Dear Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Ann

McQuaid family…please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your loving Mom,Grandma and sister Dolly.It was a few years ago that we travelled the stepdancing circuit with AnneMarie,Madonna and Paddy.Being a stepdancer or fiddlers “Mom” meant travelling to many competitions and I had many great conversations with Dolly over the years.We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers and hold on to our memories. Gerri Nicholson &Laurie(Nicholson)Otten

Dear entire McQuaid Family,
We would like to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. Everyone will miss her friendly smile and little chats at the post office.

Bob & Shirley

Dear McQuaid Family,
We wish to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. We know she will be deeply miss as a mother can never be replaced.

Sharon, Leo & family

Carol Ann, we are all thinking about you and your family during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you. Friends at St. FX

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Dolly. We always loved to chat with her after church when we were up home. Dolly always made the day just a little brighter. We would like to pass along our sympathies and condolences to the entire family. Heaven will be a better place with Dolly there.

Keith, Cindy and families

Dear All

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family and may the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.

Love,
Romina Carlorosi

Just wanted you to know how much we will miss your Mom. She always made our visits so joyous ~ whether they were here at our home or taking her out for ice cream or at our children&&single&&s weddings.We will always remember her. John and Cindy Dekroon and Families.

Dolly babysat our daughter Jillian,one summer, when Jillian was about 5 or 6 years old. She is now 24 and still remembers her summer with Dolly and all the swimming, as one of the best summers of her life. She liked visiting Dolly&&single&&s many friends. Jillian went on to competitive swimming after that, for several years, and we still attribute it to Dolly instilling her love of swimming in her. The world is a sadder place without Dolly McQuaid. Sympathy to all of you. Marg Wright