Dorothy M. (Sullivan) Collura

On December 23, 2024, Dorothy “Dottie” (Sullivan) Collura passed away just three weeks shy of her 85th birthday. 

Dottie was born in 1940 in Waltham, the 5th of seven children to Mortimer “Mert” Sullivan and Loretta (King) Sullivan. As a child, Dottie was a tomboy and full of energy. As an adult, she continued her outgoing nature and had a zest for life. She would talk to any stranger, even if it were just to say hello. 

Growing up in the Lakeview neighborhood of North Waltham, she attended the old Hardy Elementary School on Lake Street until her family, along with the families of two of her mother’s sisters, moved to the San Francisco Bay area, traveling across the country in a caravan of temperamental cars full of luggage and impatient children, on roads that predated the Interstate system. Of that trip along roads like Route 66, she recalled reading the multiple Burma-Shave road signs, her 17-year-old brother Bud driving one of the cars, and her pregnant mother enduring the whole ordeal stoically. After a few years in California, the Sullivans returned to Lakeview, permanently settling on Lake Street. 

Dottie was a graduate of Waltham High. After graduation, she began working as a secretary, which she did for many years for companies including Raytheon, Hughes Aircraft, and E-Systems until the Mayor of Waltham approached her to be his assistant – a suitable job for such a social person and immersed into the Waltham community. From there she decided to retire early to enjoy traveling and spend more time with family. 

In 1959 she married John Collura, who hailed from the Italian area of Waltham. Soon thereafter, they adopted two children, son John in 1961 and daughter Julie in 1963, and lived on Indian Road, a stone’s throw from Hardy Pond. The neighborhood buzzed with children playing and families connected by friendship, creating a warm and inviting community. 

After her brother was killed in action in Vietnam, she became very involved in the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW, serving multiple terms as Chaplain and secretary to the PFC John M. Sullivan, USMC Post, 10334, named after her late brother. In that role, she attended many wakes and funerals, always bringing her delicious cranberry coffee cake to the grieving family. Indeed, it became known as the “wake cake,” and if she was making one, we’d always know someone had died. Despite any hardships, she was upbeat and selfless, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, teaching CCD, providing transportation for the blind, and giving her time and attention to the many veterans at the Bedford V.A., to name a few. 

She was always there when a friend needed a hand and was a constant shoulder to lean (or cry) on. When her siblings or parents took ill, she was consistently at their bedside. All this while working full-time and raising two children. 

For years, her closest companion was her sister Tisha; and as a result, both families spent much time together. She was devastated when Tish was diagnosed with ALS, and she became one of her primary caregivers until Tish died too young from the disease.

Dottie was a devoted Catholic, a lifelong Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish member, and a proud American. Any visitor to her home could see from her décor that she loved the U.S.A., and her family (as evidenced by the multiple family photos around the house). She enjoyed attending the Senior Art Program at the Waltham Senior Center, where she painted with watercolors, creating numerous paintings of her family's homes. When it came to music she would start tapping her foot upon the first note and it wouldn’t take too long before she owned the dance floor, especially if an Irish song was playing. 

In her later years, Dottie spent every night at her sister June’s house playing Boggle, challenging their intellect and keeping each other company. When her everyday activities also became too much, Julie and her son Patrick were there to take care of her. Bringing her into her home, Julie became what Dottie had once been to her and several others: caretaker, companion, and source of strength. 

Dottie is now with the angels, but then, looking back on her life, she always was one.

We love you, Mom.

Dottie is survived by her son John and his wife Sue, and their children Nicholas and Brian Collura; daughter Julie and her son Patrick Collura; sisters June Rhodes and Gayle and husband Frank McCue; sister-in-Law, Helen Sullivan and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Dottie was pre-deceased by her parents and her siblings, Charles “Buddy” Sullivan, Jean Foley, Arlene “Tisha” Donlon, and John “Butch” Sullivan.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dottie’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, January 2nd from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PFC John M. Sullivan, USMC VFW Post No. 10334, 623 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.