WHITINSVILLE – Dorothy E. (Moore) Ballard, 97, of Whitinsville, formerly of Millbury and Sutton, died on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Blackstone Valley Health & Rehab, Whitinsville.

Dorothy was a devoted wife and loving mother. Her husband of 73 years, Joseph A. "Mike" Ballard, died in 2019.  She leaves seven children: James B. Ballard and his wife Mary (Federico) Ballard of Falmouth, MA, Christine M. Beardsley and her husband Richard A. Beardsley of Brunswick, ME, Joseph A. Ballard Jr. and his wife Carole (Webber) Ballard of York Harbor, ME, John E. Ballard and his wife Carol (Hoyle) Ballard of Dover, NH, Carol A. Lachance and her husband Denis L. Lachance of Wareham, MA, Cathy E. Eaton and her husband Gary O. Eaton of Sutton, and Caren R. Raad and her husband Joseph M. Raad, of Sutton; a sister, Nancy Russell and her husband Ellis Russell of Sutton; 16 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a grandson, Joshua Beardsley, 2 granddaughters, Kelli Jean Ballard and Danielle Santoro and 3 great-grandchildren, Jesse Jean Fitts, Maxwell & Landon Frisch, and a sister, Ruth Van Benthuysen-Wilder.  She was born in Millbury, daughter of Elson H. and Annie I. (Carlson) Moore.  She graduated from Millbury High School in 1945. 

Dorothy was a secretary / bookkeeper at Windle Industries in Millbury.  She was also a secretary at Mass. Protective Association.  During World War II she worked in the War Department Military Intelligence Division and was a security specialist in Washington, DC.  She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Sutton, MA.

She enjoyed travelling with her husband and family. She took pride in saying she had stayed in every state in the United States and collecting postcards along the way. They spent many years travelling in their camper.  She loved spending winters in Florida with her sister and spending many summers at their site on the Cape Cod Canal.  She loved having company and cherished the yearly family reunions.

A graveside burial will take place on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 11am at Pidgeon Hill Cemetery on Mendon Road in Sutton, MA.  Arrangements are in the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.