Dolores Ann Leahy

Dolores Ann (Porter) Leahy, age 79, of Mt. Laurel. Dolores went above and beyond for everyone. In her earlier years she drove a school bus in Winslow Twp and worked as a paramedic (some joked it was a necessity with accident prone kids). But she found her real calling as a grandmother and great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. As a mom she was hands on, making the greatest crafts and passing her knowledge onto her children (everything from sewing to ironing). When she left the area most likely she’d be heading off to the great outdoors. She started her camping career out in the pines with a pup tent before graduating onto a pop-up trailer and eventually a permanent place in Sea View. She relaxed at the lake, chased the monarch butterflies, shopped and popped in at every antique store. Fall was her season, orange her color and Halloween her favorite holiday; she even made her kids costumes. If her T.V. was on she’d be catching up on reruns of Tim the Toolman (Home Improvements), MASH and Andy Griffith. She lived in Mt Laurel but had spent most of her years in Maple Shade, and was a graduate of Holy Cross, class of ’63.

She attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School with a handsome boy named Jack. He’d move back to Maple Shade in the late 70’s and find himself seated next to the pretty Dolores in a restaurant. They’d share a 43-year marriage. She is survived by Jack; 5 children: Joseph Gallagher (Leandra), Shawn (Samantha) Gallagher, Bernadette Leahy, Christine Taylor and Jacqueline (Tim) Miller; 28 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, but especially Randy Gallagher who knew the joy of caring for his grandmother.

She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Dolores Ann Gallagher and her siblings, Catherine Newbold, Marie Howey, James Porter, Joseph Porter, William Porter and Thomas Porter.

There will be a viewing Thursday August 14, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 236 East Main Street, Maple Shade where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.