Dorothy J. (Troubetaris) Raczkowski

SALEM-It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Dorothy Joanne (Troubetaris) Raczkowski, of Salem, MA, on March 31 at the age of 100.  “Dot” was born on November 2, 1920 in Somersworth NH, the daughter of Greek immigrants John and Helen (Geanarakos) Troubetaris, and the fifth child in a family of six.  During her childhood the main mode of transportation was the horse and buggy, and the main source of light came from kerosene lamps.  Her family moved around and eventually settled in Beverly, MA, where she was raised and educated. Since Greek was spoken in her home, she did not learn English until she started attending public school. 

Dot was an excellent student who became proficient in foreign languages.  She was also an accomplished seamstress, making all of her own clothes, some of which were displayed and won awards in the 4H exhibition at the Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield, MA in the 1930’s.  In the 1940’s she worked at the Sylvania plant in Salem where she met her future husband, Adam C. Raczkowski.  They were married on October 13, 1946 and were together for over 60 years until his death in 2007.  They enjoyed square dancing, camping, fishing and their annual trips to Florida.

After raising her three children, Dot went back to work, this time at CBS Hytron in Danvers, MA.  When it closed, she moved on to Western Electric in Andover, MA, and then ITT Cannon in Salem, MA, working on projects for the Gemini and Apollo space programs.   She then went to work for Salem Hospital, now the North Shore Medical Center, where she became certified as a medical records librarian in 1977, by completing her associate’s degree at North Shore Community College. After retiring in 1983, she decided that retirement was not for her, and went back to work in the hospital’s admissions department.  It was around this time that she and her oldest son Leon returned to her family’s roots in Greece where she visited both of her parents’ birthplaces.

Sometime after her second retirement from Salem hospital, Dot volunteered at the city of Salem’s Board of Health where at the age of 81 she was offered a paid part-time position.  At the age of 84 she retired for the last time. 

Dot was an active volunteer when her children were in school, contributing her talents to the PTO, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  After her husband Adam’s death she volunteered at the Soldier’s Home in Chelsea where he had spent his final years.  A skilled knitter whose creations have been gifts treasured over the years by her family, she most recently knitted children’s hats, scarves, and gloves for the Salem Council on Aging to distribute to local families.  Dot was an avid reader who loved to learn new things, was fully engaged in life, and held firm opinions on issues of importance to her.  She lived independently in her beloved home in Salem right up through her 100th birthday.

Dot leaves behind her two sons, Leon Raczkowski of Salem, and Adam David Raczkowski and his wife Toni of East Longmeadow, MA; and three grandchildren, Layne Raczkowski of Granby, MA; Adam J. Raczkowski of Roslindale, MA; and Christopher Mayo of Columbus, Ohio.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter Kathryn Mayo in 2010; as well as her five siblings: brothers Harry, James and George Troubetaris; and two sisters, Constance Troubetaris and Helen Hardy.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Dorothy’s funeral service which will be held in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, Paleologos St., Peabody on Monday, April 5th at 12:00 PM. All attendees must register to attend the funeral service by clicking the link below or by calling the funeral home (978-744-2350). Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.  A visiting hour will be held in O’Donnell – Cremations - Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq. (at Salem Common) Salem from 10:30 to 11:30 AM prior the service. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and are respectfully asked for no physical contact with the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Salem Council on Aging, 401 Bridge St., Salem, MA 01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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