Dorothy Jean Hollyoak's Obituary
Dorothy Jean (Gilchriest) Hollyoak, 74 years old of Kihei, HI formerly of New Milford, CT, passed away on Sunday October 15, 2023. Dorothy was born May 25, 1949 in Ogdensburg, NY to John “Jack” and Mary Gilchriest. The oldest of 12 children, she grew up in Syracuse, NY. She attended Franciscan Academy for High School and then Crouse School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY. After she earned her Registered
Nursing degree, she moved to Denver, CO and began her career as a nurse. In Denver, she met the love of her life Eric Hollyoak and they were married November 4, 1976. After briefly living in Huntington Beach, CA, Dorothy and Eric moved back to Denver and started their family. After several years in Denver (and a few Super Bowl losses for the Broncos), they moved their family back East to be closer to Dorothy’s extended family and landed in New Milford, CT where they set down roots.
Helping other people through nursing was her true calling and she loved her career. While raising her young sons, she worked in various units at New Milford Hospital including the ICU and PACU. She then wanted to further her knowledge and skills and so pursued advanced specialized training at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. After gaining these additional credentials, she was hired by Yale New Haven Hospital where she worked in the ICU and interventional radiology catheterization lab, a highlight of her career.
An avid learner, Dorothy always stayed informed of current events and read The New York Times weekly. She loved vacationing at the beaches of Maine, classic TV crime dramas including Columbo and Perry Mason, and a nice leather pocketbook. Most of all, she was a caring mother, wife, and sister. She treasured her family and was witty, bright, and thoughtful to all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Jack and Mary and sisters Bernadette and Beth. She is survived by her husband Eric; sons John (Claire), Ryan, and Jason; grandchildren Lorelei, Malachi, Luke, and Ben; her siblings and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held on a future date in Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to Maui Hospice Hale or the Crouse
Hospital Nurses Alumni Endowed Fund.
https://www.hospicemaui.org/greg-lagoy-memorial-fund
https://www.crouse.org/nursing/alumni/
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?