Obituary for Dolores Mary Pestana (Borges)
Departing from Westford House, Dolores Mary (Borges) Pestana, age 93, left the planet on February 8, 2023. Dolores was born in Lowell on August 3, 1929 and was a lifelong resident of Dracut. She was the daughter of the late Mary and Carlos Borges. Dolores was married to John Pestana Jr., the “love of her life”, who died in 2001. Dolores was also predeceased by her brothers Charles and Joseph. She was a graduate of Lowell High School and Lowell Commercial College.
Dolores worked in administrative assistant positions for several local companies including Household Finance, Oak Switch and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
She studied yoga with Ruth Bender and became a yoga instructor. She also enjoyed square dancing with her husband as well as line dancing and took tap lessons in her 50’s. Dolores was an avid reader, skilled seamstress and was probably one of the last people alive who knew Gregg Shorthand. She was a member of the Dracut Historical Society and the Dracut Senior Center. She spent many happy summers at her family cottage on Pemaquid Pond in Maine and enjoyed kayaking and hiking with the Pemaquid Paddlers and the Wednesday Walkers. She learned to reupholster furniture and sewed curtains, clothing and fabulous Halloween costumes for her beloved grandsons, some of which are now being worn by her great grandchildren.
Dolores was funny, feisty and did not suffer fools gladly. A lifelong Democrat, she hung black bunting on her John Kerry for president sign when he lost to George Bush in 2004.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia Pestana and son-in-law Ward Rosenberry of North Chelmsford, grandson William Rosenberry, his wife Alaina Malpere Rosenberry and their children Vivian and Silas of Lowell. She is also survived by grandson John Rosenberry, his wife Christina Wescott Rosenberry and their daughter Claire, also of Lowell. Dolores leaves behind her sisters in law, Mary and Rita, several nieces and nephews including a much beloved niece Teresa Zahareas of Lowell.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 13th from 4-7 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central St., LOWELL. Interment to follow in St. Mary Cemetery, TEWKSBURY. Donations in her name may be made to any organization that promotes social justice or women’s reproductive rights.
Dolores worked in administrative assistant positions for several local companies including Household Finance, Oak Switch and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
She studied yoga with Ruth Bender and became a yoga instructor. She also enjoyed square dancing with her husband as well as line dancing and took tap lessons in her 50’s. Dolores was an avid reader, skilled seamstress and was probably one of the last people alive who knew Gregg Shorthand. She was a member of the Dracut Historical Society and the Dracut Senior Center. She spent many happy summers at her family cottage on Pemaquid Pond in Maine and enjoyed kayaking and hiking with the Pemaquid Paddlers and the Wednesday Walkers. She learned to reupholster furniture and sewed curtains, clothing and fabulous Halloween costumes for her beloved grandsons, some of which are now being worn by her great grandchildren.
Dolores was funny, feisty and did not suffer fools gladly. A lifelong Democrat, she hung black bunting on her John Kerry for president sign when he lost to George Bush in 2004.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia Pestana and son-in-law Ward Rosenberry of North Chelmsford, grandson William Rosenberry, his wife Alaina Malpere Rosenberry and their children Vivian and Silas of Lowell. She is also survived by grandson John Rosenberry, his wife Christina Wescott Rosenberry and their daughter Claire, also of Lowell. Dolores leaves behind her sisters in law, Mary and Rita, several nieces and nephews including a much beloved niece Teresa Zahareas of Lowell.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 13th from 4-7 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central St., LOWELL. Interment to follow in St. Mary Cemetery, TEWKSBURY. Donations in her name may be made to any organization that promotes social justice or women’s reproductive rights.