Dorothy M. (Horan) Lavitola, 103, Bookkeeper

Dorothy M. (Horan) Lavitola, 103, of Haverhill and formerly of Bronx, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly Feb. 1,at Lahey Medical Center, Burlington. She was married to Eugene Horan until his death in 1992.

Born in New York Aug. 18, 1912, Lavitola was the daughter of the late Harry and Angelina (Padula) Lavitola. She was educated in New York and, following her graduation from high school, she continued her education, receiving a certificate from business school. She then began a career as a bookkeeper in the printing industry until her retirement in 1977. She worked in Manhattan and embraced the New York culture with great enthusiasm. In 2005, Lavitola moved to Haverhill to be closer to her niece and family members. She was an independent woman who enjoyed traveling, her daily walk to get her newspaper and bus rides to go shopping.

She is survived by her nieces, Jennifer Cram and her husband Ken of Haverhill, Donna Shannon and her husband Bill of North Hills, Calif., and their respective families. She was the sister of the late Rita Brooks. Lavitola will also be missed by the three generations of little girls she leaves behind in Massachusetts, California, Virginia and Arizona.

A memorial servicetook place Saturday at New England Bible Church, 60 Chandler Road, Andover. A graveside service will take place Feb. 12, at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, N.Y. Arrangements are under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill.