Attorney Marguerite H. (Mosher) Dolan, age 89, died at the Bertram House in Swampscott early Wednesday morning, February 25, following a long illness.


One of five children, she was born and raised in Greenfield, MA, the daughter of the late Fred A. and Helen V. (Mills) Mosher. Her family moved to New York City when she was a teenager where she graduated from Julia Richmond High School and attended Columbia University, studying journalism. Mrs. Dolan returned to Greenfield and became a reporter for the Greenfield Recorder-Gazette. Throughout her life, she pursued her interest in journalism and literature, writing novels, plays, and several published magazine articles.


She married the late Robert P. Dolan, Jr. in June of 1946. For many years she was a mother and homemaker and raised their five children. Later, she worked as a law librarian for the Franklin County Law Library for over 10 years where she became interested in and made the decision to pursue a law career. During this time she clerked for Attorney Sebastian Ruggeri and, on her own, studied for the Bar. She is believed to be the last person in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be admitted to the practice of law without attending law school under the old practice of "reading for the bar."


After passing the bar and commencing her law practice in 1971 at age 51, she worked with Attorney Ruggeri until establishing her own firm in Turners Falls, later becoming partners with for a time with Thomas Simons, Esq. An active litigator for individual rights, Attorney Dolan's cases included an important right to privacy case, Pederson V. Time Magazine, which greatly advanced the rights of the mentally ill. In another widely cited Massachusetts's case, In the Matter of Earle Spring, she represented the family of Mr. Spring, who was an incompetent terminally ill patient in the Holyoke Geriatric Hospital in advocating for his right to die with dignity by ending his life prolonging treatment. This case is widely recognized as greatly advancing patient's rights.

She became an attorney at a time when women lawyers were a rarity, and did much to mentor and encourage other women in their pursuit of careers in the law. She retired in 1990 at age 71, but remained "of Counsel" to her son, Attorney Robert P. Dolan, III.

Marguerite loved outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, tennis and picnics. She was an intrepid traveler who relished her many trips to exotic places such as The Galapagos Islands, Peru, Nepal, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Patagonia, the African destinations of Egypt, Botswana and Mt. Kilimanjaro, as well as Europe and many US destinations.

Attorney Dolan is survived by five children; Kathryn Lien of Swampscott, Constance LaFleur, Anne Dolan-Wieting and her husband John Wieting of Durango, CO, Robert Dolan, III, Esq. and his companion Michele Webster of Brattleboro, VT and Joan Dolan of Springfield, MA; one grandchild, Erik Lien, Esq. of Boston, MA and many nieces and nephews.


Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem, and services will be at the convenience of family and announced at a later date. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Bertram House, 565 Humphrey St, Swampscott, MA 01907 or to All Care Hospice, Development Office, 107 Audubon Road #201, Wakefield, MA 01880. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.


Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Kathryn Lien, 70 Millett Road, Swampscott, MA 01907, Anne Dolan-Wieting, 15 Ute Canyon Drive, Durango CO 81301-6947, Robert Dolan P.O. Box 133 Greenfield, MA 01302-0133 and Joan Dolan, 96 Sparrow Drive, Springfield, MA 01119.