Obituary of Dorothy "Dottie" A. lawless

     Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” A. Lawless, 97, a lifelong resident of Utica, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, with her loving family by her side.

     Dorothy was born in Utica, on August 11, 1925, the daughter of Leon and Ella (Bevans) Collis.  She was raised in Utica, was a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and received her teaching assistant certificate from Mohawk Valley Community College.  In 1948, Dottie was united in marriage with Clifford L. Lawless and the couple shared a loving and devoted union of 45 years until Clifford’s death in 1993.  At one time, Dottie was employed with NY Telephone Company, later with Winners Woman’s Apparel, and until her retirement, with Foedish Clothing Store in Utica.  Dottie enjoyed music and singing, artwork, and knitting, especially baby blankets, sweaters and booties, which she would lovingly donate to St. Luke’s Hospital maternity ward.  She was a past member of RCIL Adult Day Program, enjoyed going to the New Hartford Senior Center, and was a longtime devout parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica. 

     Mrs. Lawless is survived by her four children, Michael Lawless and his wife Joann of CT, Deborah (Lawless) Harrington and her husband James of CO, John Lawless and his wife Patty of CT and Beth (Lawless) Piekielniak Meeusen and her husband Fritz of Remsen; ten cherished grandchildren, Heather Lawless, Michael Lawless Jr., and his wife, Laura, Devon Lawless and Brian, Timothy Lawless and his wife Elaine, Daniel Harrington and his wife Jeannie, Julie Ortiz and her husband, Steve, Katie Grabiec and her husband, Tony, Susie Peluso and her husband Mike, Jennifer Hill and her fiancée Eric Johnson and Robert Piekielniak and his wife Nicole; one sister, Marjorie (Collis) Ruhm Cahill of Utica and one brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Audrie Collis of VA, as well as 14 adored great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her loving husband, Clifford and seven siblings, Sr. Mary Leon Collis, Leon Collis, Wilbur Collis, Ramsey Collis, Pat McGinty, Helen Luke and Sr. Jean Ann Collis.

     Mrs. Lawless’ memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes campus, Genesee St., Utica.  The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Memorial Mass. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Clifford in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Clinton, NY. 

     Mrs. Lawless’ family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mark Shug, Dr. John Robertson, Staff at 3^rd floor Allen Calder Wing at St Luke’s Hospital, and her kind and compassionate home health aides, for the wonderful care you provided to Dorothy over the years.  A very special thank you to Dorothy’s service coordinator, Christina Wallingford, the staff at RCIL Adult Day Service, and dear friend and dedicated volunteer at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rose Butler, for the many years of loving care and compassion you showed to Dorothy.  Your kindness will not be forgotten.