Dolores E. Nealon

Dolores E. Nealon, 96, passed away on Thursday January 2, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born December 23, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Veronica (Zbylut) Smolenski.

Following her graduation from Harper High School, she worked for IBM and Metropolitan Life as an administrative assistant. She was a vibrant young woman who loved to travel. She and her many friends visited Canada, Miami, Mexico, California, New York and the Smokies. She met James Nealon, the love of her life, at a church dance and that was the beginning of a loving life-long partnership. As a young family they moved several times, finally calling New Hampshire home, where they lived happily for over 50 years.

Dolores was creative and honed her talents playing the piano and drawing portraits. She was an award-winning seamstress and a talented cook. She loved history and politics and was very opinionated, especially when it came to Chicago politics. Although she lived in New England most of her life, Dolores was a loyal Midwesterner, and when it came to sports there was always spirited banter with the New England fans she was surrounded by. Dolores was involved in many organizations; UNH Cooperative Extension, Brownies, and Girl Scouts and volunteered at the local elementary schools. She was an avid reader and later in life studied history at Notre Dame College, excelling in several courses. Dolores supported her husband in business endeavors, acting as his bookkeeper and office manager for over 20 years.

She had many interests but her main focus was her family. She was the center of her family’s world, and her selflessness, love, and support shepherded them through life’s ups and downs. Dolores' home was "family central” where all holidays were celebrated; she knew how to bring the holiday magic. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren simply adored her. They loved to go to Grammy's where she spoiled them, making each one feel special. Dolores built an extensive and wonderful family and will be dearly missed by them.

In addition to her parents, Dolores was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, James M. Nealon in May of 2024; her daughter, Stephanie Nealon and brothers, Walter and Robert Smolenski. She is survived by her daughters, Lizabeth MacDonald and her husband, Paul, of Manchester, and Catherine Fenton and her husband, Steve, of Hampstead and son, Matthew Nealon and his wife, Kristen, of Manchester; a son-in-law, Todd Herman of New York; nine grandchildren, Shannon, Matthew, Christopher, Stephanie, Jessica, Woodrow, Zachary, Nora and Clara; eight great grandchildren, Elle, Madison, Connor, Alexandra, Allison, Meghan, Camryn and Blair; and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Tuesday, January 7th from 5 to 7 pm at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Catherine Church, Webster Street, Manchester. Committal prayers will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery Mausoleum, Calef Road, Manchester. Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at www.mskcc.org, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. To leave a message of condolence, see the obituary at www.lambertfuneralhome.com