ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Marion Dorgan holds a photo of her family. In picture standing, from left, David Dorgan, Dale Cyr, Donna Legere, Darlene Clark, Daniel Dorgan, Debra McManus, Deirdre Dorgan and Denis Dorgan. Sitting, Denise Carritte, John “Iggy” Dorgan, Marion Cronin Dorgan, Diane Marengi and Dawn Dorgan.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — There are few things in life that are as certain as the sun rising and setting.
One of these things is that Marion Dorgan will never be alone on Mother’s Day.
The West Lynn mom of 12, grandmother of 32, with a 10th great-grandchild on the way, can count on her Moulton Street home to be packed on Sunday and she wouldn’t have it any other way. The house will be filled with noisy chatter, dirty dishes and much love and family catch up time.
“I serve dinner at 1 p.m. and they all know the door is always open,” she said. “I cook 15 pounds of potatoes, a couple of vegetables and a ham or roast. The grandchildren call my kitchen Mimi’s Diner.”
The 84-year-old matriarch of a growing family was born at the shuttered Lynn Hospital and grew up on Oakville Street, along with brothers, Freddy and David and sister, Denise.
She met John Dorgan when she was 16, graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1949 and they married soon after. Dorgan and her husband, better known as “Iggy,” began their family right away.
Denise was the first born, followed by Debbie, and not long after came Diane. The babies continued to arrive, about once a year, until the house on Moulton Street was filled with boys and girls bearing first names that began with the letter D.
For those keeping track, the names are: Denise, Debbie, Diane, Denis, Darlene, Doreen (who passed away as an infant), Donna, Dawn, Dale, David, Daniel and Deirdre.
“I must have done something right because they are all doing well and raising great families of their own,” Dorgan said. “And most importantly, they are kind to others.”
This mom of many speaks with reverence and love when talking about her own parents, Tessie, who was born in England, and Denis, a native of Ireland. They came to America soon after they married, settled down in Lynn and built a life around Marion and her siblings.
“My father was an MBTA bus driver and my mother stayed home with us,” she said. “They were wonderful parents and we had a happy, full life. My hope has always been to give my kids a life that they love and treasure, too. It hasn’t always been easy, but my heart is filled with love and memories of a lifetime of weddings, birthdays, Christmas dinners and lots of new babies.”
Most of her fondest memories occurred close by, if not in her own home.
“One of my favorite memories happened many years ago,” she recalled. “Iggy and I were hosting an anniversary party for my aunt and uncle. At one point during the evening, we were asked to step outside. Everyone headed out the front door. Moulton Street had been closed off and a bagpiper was playing and marching down the middle of the street. It was wonderful.”
Dorgan and her husband never acquired a driver’s license. They walked to weekly Mass and to the grocery store and occasional visits to friends’ homes.
“Everything I ever wanted was right here at home,” she said.
Two of Marion’s daughters offered their thoughts on “growing up Dorgan.”
Donna, 54, is the seventh child and the mother of five children herself.
“I hope in 30 years I am still as close to my children as my mom is to us,” she said. “She has been an integral part of all of our lives and I wouldn’t go back and change a thing.”
Dawn, daughter number seven, said they all had a terrific childhood.
“They weren’t strict parents, but we respected them and knew our place,” she said. “If Mom said, ‘No,’ we accepted it and moved on. I was happy to grow up in a crowded house full of family, friends and love.”
Dorgan is happy to report that these days she finally does have more “me time” and can spend her days enjoying grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. She also spends hours nostalgically looking back on a lifetime filled with crowded dinners, report cards, fights over bathroom time, broken toys and school events.
“Prayer is a big part of my life these days,” she said, “I find myself doing a lot of remembering, honoring and giving thanks for a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and, oh yes, lots of hugs and kisses.”