Obituary of Doris "Dolly" I. Johnson

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Doris “Dolly” Ida (Pagliccia) Johnson, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2025 with her devoted children, grandchildren, and loved ones by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald E. Johnson, with whom she had been married for 48 years, prior to his passing in 2004.

Dolly was born in Malden, MA on September 7, 1935 to the late Ercole and Grazia “Grace” (Gugliotta) Pagliccia, who were originally from Brittoli and Sicily, respectively. Dolly and her five siblings were raised on Pearl Street in the “Italian” Edgeworth section of Malden and Everett. Saint Peter’s Church and Saint Rocco feasts were a huge part of the Pagliccia family life. When she was sixteen, Dolly became the first member of her family to learn to drive and even bought her own car, giving her newfound independence. It was at the Bal-A-Roue roller skating rink in Medford where she would be swept off her feet by her future husband, Don.

In 1962, Don and Dolly settled into their forever home at the top of the hill on Peach Orchard Road in Burlington, where they raised their seven children in what became a close-knit neighborhood. Her deeply caring nature and easygoing spirit were well suited to the demands of a family-centered and busy household. As a first-generation American, Dolly knew the value of a good education and strong work ethic, which she encouraged for her children. 

Don and Dolly’s vacation “Camp” on Sawyer Lake in New Hampshire was a place where cherished memories were made over the decades. Her passions were music (especially classic country), the arts, dancing, traveling, and field trips to Boston and beyond. She loved yard-saling, thrifting and was a regular at The Salvation Army - often bringing food for the staff, who allowed her first dibs on the treasures being unloaded off the truck. She always had a warm smile and easily made friends wherever she went. 

Later in life, as grandchildren and then great-grandchildren came along, Dolly embraced and loved each new addition to the ever-growing family. She made every effort to attend her grandchildren’s events and milestones, and made them all feel special with her loving ways. 

She was an outstanding cook, expertly making meals with all the fixings. She’d make enough to feed a small army, and leftovers were a given. The Pagliccia's always love leftovers.  Cooking and sharing her recipes was a way she expressed love and care. She was the heart and joy of her family. Don and Dolly hosted the holidays and cherished the quality time spent with extended family. Dolly and her siblings never missed celebrating birthdays or any reason for a “get-together”.

Surviving Dolly are her loving children, Donald Johnson, Jr. and his wife Alysa of Woburn, John Johnson and his wife Susan of Danvers, Sherry Vacek of Salem, Ronald Johnson and his wife Joan of Woburn, Gary Johnson and his partner Jim Boudreault of Wilmington, daughter-in-law Patrice McGinness and her husband Daniel McGinness of Wilmington, Doreen Brackett and her husband Robert of E. Sandwich, Darlene Kelter and her husband Robert of Lynnfield, and Sandra McDonough and her husband Brian of Medford.

Her adoring grandchildren Eric and wife Allison, Nicole Thibault and husband Lou, Jeff Perin, Erin Ellis and husband Kevin, Tony and wife Kimberly, Stephanie Heger and husband John, Stephen and wife Kathleen, Diane, Robert B., Robert K., Christopher, Olivia, Nicholas, Julia, Donald “D.J.”, Caroline, and Matthew.

Her precious great-grandchildren Cecilia, Bennett, Linnea, Hunter, Maiya, Kailey, Dillon, James, Ryan, Griffin, Anthony, Madelynn, Owen, Eleanor “Ellie”, Kennedy, and Cooper.

Her dear siblings Mary DiLuca of Everett, Theresa Chiulli of Stoneham, Anthony Pagliccia and his wife Sharon of New Ipswich, NH, siblings-in-law Sandra Pagano of Falls Church, VA, Raymond Coombs of Wakefield, and Francis Roach of Boxford, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins in California and Canada, relatives, and friends. 

Dolly was predeceased by her loving mother- and father-in-law, the late Dorothy and Eric Johnson; dear sisters, the late Jeanette Coombs and Eleanor “Ellie” Roach; sister- and brothers-in-law, the late Jean and John Palm, Richard “Dick” Johnson, Angelo “Clem” DiLuca, and John Chiulli. Dolly was also predeceased by her grandson, the late Cody Vacek and his partner the late Nicolle Brown.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Monday, June 2^nd from 4-7 pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home at 43 Winn St., Burlington. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 3^rd 10 am at St. Veronica Parish at St. Margaret Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington. Burial will immediately follow at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in Dolly’s honor may be made to: Bear Hill Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center – Activities Department c/o Sara Rao, 11 North Street, Stoneham, MA 02180 (kindly mention Dolly Johnson). It would bring her family much "joy" to bring smiles and enrich the lives of the residents with the gift of music and good food.