Burlington, VT — Dorothy "Dot" A. (Beaudoin) (Crowley) Fleming passed away peacefully on the evening of July 16, 2024 in the comforting arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ and with her great-grandson, Sam Crowley, lovingly by her side.

Dot was born in Burlington, VT on July 27, 1935, the daughter of Napoleon J. Beaudoin and Leta B. (Bernier). She grew up in Winooski and attended school at St Louis Convent where she learned her lessons in French and English. She was a cheerleader and also sang with the Glee Club at Winooski High School where she later graduated in 1954. She worked at Preston's Jewelers and Fishman's Department Store until she married her high school sweetheart, Leonard Crowley, on February 27, 1954. They were married only 14 short years and was widowed in November 1968, with seven children, all under the age of 14. The visual of Leonard not walking through the door at the 5 o'clock hour prompted her decision to move to Burlington because her mother could help by taking care of the children while she sought employment. Having only worked a short time before marriage, she decided to take refresher classes in the clerical field and also attended Manpower training. She applied at Green Mtn. Power in Burlington where Leonard had been a meter reader for many years. She was hired in 1971 as the switchboard operator and cashier where she was in their employ until her retirement in 1995. One day while shopping at Almy's Department Store, she met Otis Fleming who was a widower, having previously been married to her cousin Florence Dupont. She and Otis married in August 1986 and they celebrated 26 years together until his death in 2012.

She spent the rest of her retirement years living in the home she chose in 1969 and her son Gerry and daughter Laurie were faithfully present to fix her meals, take her to her doctor appointments, and take care of her grocery shopping, just a few things among many.

Dot didn't have many hobbies but in her younger years, she played bingo at least once a week and in 1973 she won the jackpot of $1000 – you would have thought she won a million because she made all of us sleep in the living room with her for protection. She enjoyed playing cards and games with her family, and spent years knitting, crocheting and sewing. She would be up late at night sewing patches on her sons' pant legs or replacing buttons and she created beautiful prom dresses and gowns for her daughters. She wasn't an avid reader but she sure collected lots of papers that she wanted to read and re-read and even then, she hated to throw anything out. She loved movies, mostly the oldies that were filmed in the 1940s and 50s but she truly enjoyed a favorite soap opera until it was canceled. She truly enjoyed just being a Mom and later as a Mémère. She would wake us up with a song on so many mornings when it was difficult to get out of bed for school. She brought much happiness in just the simplest of things.

Most importantly to Dot was her faith. If you found her sitting in her chair, you most likely would catch her praying the rosary and she did this at least three times a day. If you called her with a problem or if someone was sick or had passed, she would tell you that she will add them to her prayers. She and Sam recited the rosary just 30 minutes before being called by her Savior.

As we witness the outpouring of love and admiration flowing through our text messages or social media accounts, we are all feeling the closeness and love of those who know us or knew our Mom. One friend wrote "Remember the gift of the dead is bringing folks together". It definitely has!

Dorothy is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Ann-Marie (Dale) Germain of The Villages, FL, Mark (Lori) Crowley of Grand Isle, Bernard Crowley, Diane (Tracy) Blondin, and Gerry Crowley, all of Burlington, Laurie (Russell) Sabens of Milton, and Timothy (Elizabeth) of Westfield, VT. She also leaves her grandchildren Shawn, Jeffrey (Amy), Camie, Mark, Jessie (Nick), Lindsey (Alfie), Kelly (Corey), Alyssa (Nick), Don, Leta, TJ (Joselyn), Kari-Ann, Rebecca, Scott (Andrea), Christine, Laurie (Todd), Tim (Heather), Jacob, Nicholas (Haley), and Joshua; great-grandchildren, Riley, May, Melody, Annabelle, Avery, Hannah, Emily, Ben, Vinnie, Noah, Isaac, Lucas, Jaiden, Olivia, Liam, Brady, Rowan, Ryder, Harper, Sam, Jackson, Jacob, Sienna, Eli, Rylie, Elliot, Lucas, Wyatt, Owen, Alexis, Lilley, Logan, Kailey, Talon, Everett, Boden, Benjamin, Mia, Willa, and Nova; great-great grandchildren Bradley, Silas, Oliver and Henry. She also leaves behind her cousin Ted (Irene) Beaudoin whom she always told everyone that he was her brother as they were raised together when they were children, her daughters-in-law, Kim Crowley, Sharron Fortune (predeceased by), and Candace (Crowley) Burgin; as well as a great many nieces and nephews. Dot also leaves behind a special cousin, Karen Niquette, who helped our family when we lost our Dad in a tragic accident; her closest friend, Irene Bowman who was Godsend when she needed help with the children, and her neighbor, Karen Crosby, who she thought of as both a friend and daughter. Dot was predeceased by her parents, Napoleon and Leta, her two spouses, Leonard and Otis, her daughter, prematurely born and unnamed, her brothers, Paul and Bernard Beaudoin and another brother who was stillborn, her sisters, Marie who only lived one day, and Carmelita who was only six. She was also predeceased by many brothers & sisters-in-law, too many to mention.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, July 23rd from 5-7 p.m. at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 24th at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Winooski with inurnment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. A reception will be held at the American Legion, Post #91, 8 South St., Colchester, VT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy's memory to Saint Anne's Shrine, P.O. Box 280, Isle La Motte, VT 05463.