Dorothy Marie Roy

Dorothy Marie (Hughes) Roy, 94, of Bennington, Vermont, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, at Equinox Terrace in Manchester Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Dorothy (Dot) was born on September 19, 1930, in Cambridge, New York, the daughter of Catherine Houlton and Francis Hughes. She grew up in Hoosick Falls and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1948.

Dorothy began her career as a telephone operator for the New York Telephone Company. In 1954, she married the love of her life, Robert J. Roy, and devoted herself to raising their large family. From 1976 to 1987, Dot worked as a housekeeper and certified home health aide, providing care to a disabled neighbor while also managing her own household of nine children. Subsequently, ever eager to grow and contribute, she completed adult education courses at the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center, which led to her role as a clerical assistant for the Adult Education Coordinator.

Throughout her life, Dorothy lived out her values of service and compassion. She volunteered over 700 hours as a Grey Lady at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, welcoming visitors and assisting patients, and was also a trained hospice volunteer.

Her Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life, offering strength and guidance through every joy and hardship. Dorothy was a faithful member of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church and was active in the Court St. Andrew of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Dorothy was devoted to her husband, Bob, who predeceased her in 2010. Together, they built a family full of love and deep connection. She is survived by her sister, Margaret O'Malley, and sister-in-law Beatrice Bopp, her children Catherine Sliwinski (Robert), Richard Roy (MaryBeth), Maureen Corey (Brian), James Roy (Julianne), Ellen Antognioni, Donald Roy (Tammy), Mary Hughes (Michael), Susan Cutter (Dana), and Robert Roy (Brandi). She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Lessis, Elisse Azofiefa, Richard and Bradley Roy, Lauren Jones, Mark and Christina Corey, Christopher and Tyler Roy, Emily, Rachel, and Kevin Antognioni, Daphne and DJ Roy, Brooke, Jack, and Michael Hughes, Hannah, Grace, Luke, and Jacob Cutter, and Zachary, Gregory, and Allison Roy—as well as twelve great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was an avid birdwatcher and a budding watercolor artist whose paintings grace the homes of many in her family. Her deepest devotion was to her family, especially her beloved husband, whom she cared for faithfully throughout his long illness with Parkinson's disease.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church, 238 Main Street, Bennington. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at noon. Friends and Family are invited to the Celebration of Life from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Bennington Elks Lodge Carriage House, 125 Washington Avenue, Bennington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT 05701, or Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 238 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

The Roy family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Equinox Terrace for their dedicated care over the past 16 months. Special gratitude goes to the Hospice team—Alex, Sue, Courtney, Priscilla,

Jennifer, Lori, and Allie—whose compassionate presence brought comfort and dignity to Dorothy's final days, and immeasurable support to her family.