Dorothy A. Taliadoros Obituary
Dorothy Ann (Powell) Taliadoros passed away peacefully at the home she dearly loved on Essex Avenue in Gloucester on the evening of Sunday, August 31, surrounded by family members, friends, and dedicated caregivers. Her passing brought to a close a lifelong adventure that spanned 100 years and countless experiences driven by her love of family and friends, independent and adventurous spirit, and relentless dedication to the people and things she cared about in life.
Known to many as "Aunt Dottie", "Aunt Dot", or simply "Dottie", she was born on July 18, 1925, to parents Graham and Ada (Bailey) Powell in Wake County, NC, grew up on the family farm, proudly graduated from Youngsville High School, and was a faithful member of the Woodland Baptist Church.
Dottie's first job off the farm was as an operator with the Southern Bell Telephone Company in North Carolina. She transferred to the same position in Florida, where she met Gloucester native William "Bill" Taliadoros in 1947. Their enduring love was the foundation of a marriage that began in 1949 and spanned 62 years until Bill's death at age 91 in 2011.
Settling in Gloucester with Bill, Dottie began work with the New England Bell Telephone Company and started assimilating into a large Greek family in an unfamiliar New England environment. She did so with grace, patience, and understanding - without losing her own identity, Southern charm, and independent spirit.
Dottie and Bill shared a strong work ethic, and partnered in every aspect of life, including Tally's, the family automotive business. In the early eighties, they opened Tally's Trading Post, an eclectic antique store, where Dottie worked until 2003.
They were very involved in charitable organizations, civic activities, and local politics as well as the Republican Party at the federal, state, and local levels, passing along a passion for civic engagement to younger members of their family.
Dottie had a way of making everyone feel loved, maintaining strong bonds with her relatives in the South, who she and Bill visited at least twice a year, and caring for her nephews, Brian, Brent "Ringo", and Bruce Tarr, as if they were her own children. She had a special fondness for Ringo's children, Elizabeth and Emily, their spouses Mike and Jamie, and cherished visits from her great-great niece, Hannah.
Beyond working, Dottie enjoyed knitting, sewing, crossword puzzles, gardening, and reading. She especially loved breakfast, particularly with friends, at local restaurants. She also took great pride in grooming and caring for the family dog, a collie named Jeff.
Dottie's life was enriched by many special friends including Mike Horgan, Joanne Marks, Crystal Papanickolas, Jim and John McKechnie, Barry Pett and Merlin Hunt.
Dottie loved her home, wanting to stay there forever. Her family is deeply grateful to Elizabeth Salah, Kathy Moriarty, Christine Asaro, and Susan Jacques, whose dedicated care made that possible until her final breath.
Dottie is survived by sisters, Rachel Holden of Rolesville, NC, Carolyn Gordon of Columbus, GA.; sister-in-law, Polly Munn Powell of Wake Forest, NC, sister-in-law, Arlene Taliadoros of Essex, MA., many nieces and nephews, including Massachusetts State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and Brent Tarr of Gloucester, MA., Lamont Powell and Joey Powell of NC and several other nieces and nephews; great-nieces, Elizabeth (Mike) Leung of Millstone, NJ and Emily (Jamie) Oliver of Gloucester, MA and great-great niece, Hannah Leung.
She was predeceased by her husband, William "Bill" Taliadoros; her parents, Graham Powell and Ada Powell; brothers, David Powell, Royce Powell, and Carlos Powell; sisters, Mabel Wiggins and Lowell Hart; nephew, Brian Tarr and niece, Denise Powell.
A Graveside service will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 12:00 noon in the Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Senior Care, Inc., 49 Blackburn Center, Gloucester, MA 01930, Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923, and Woodland Baptist Church, 198 Woodland Church Road, Wake Forest, NC, 27587.
Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
