Dolores Bacharach — known fondly as “DoDo” to generations of Westporters impacted by her broad and deep volunteer efforts — died Monday at her home. She was 97, and had led a long, happy life devoted to others.
She and Jim Bacharach, her husband of 44 years, were engaged in civic and church activities throughout their lives. Their accomplishments include establishing Westport’s first soup kitchen, which became Homes with Hope; helping develop and grow the Intercommunity Camp; and participating in Westport’s Interfaith Council, Senior Advisory Council, and the Social Concerns Committee at Assumption Church.
Jim and DoDo Bacharach
DoDo taught CCD at Assumption, expanded the Assumption School library, led the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and other outreach programs, was a eucharistic minister, and laundered church linens.
She followed the example of Dorothy Day, of the Catholic Worker movement. DoDo — who believed in social justice to her core — was honored with the Saint Augustine Medal of Service in 2005.
After raising 5 children — and being a surrogate mother to many of their friends — she earned a master’s degree in social work at age 60. DoDo worked for Catholic Social Services, and established SAGE Associates, a private social work practice.
She volunteered at Caroline House in Bridgeport, and for more than 40 years cooked and served meals at the Gillespie Center kitchen.
Dolores “DoDo” Bacharach
Her family says: “DoDo loved reading, movies, musical comedy and serious plays, ‘All Creatures Great and Small,’ a glass of white wine with ice, good friends, mint chocolate chip ice cream, a day at the beach, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“She was kindness personified. She was generous with her time and treasure. Over the life of the Intercommunity Camp, she offered her pool and ran the library there. Every neighbor was welcome to swim, and she hosted an annual Christmas Carol Sing.
“She was generous with herself: bringing meals to housebound friends, driving people to church or doctor’s appointments, taking great care of her friend and neighbor, Mary Lou. She loved laughing and sharing a joke.
“There was not a moment when she didn’t think of the person or people in front of her. She greeted everyone she met at the store, the gas station, the doctor’s office, or anywhere else she went with warmth and genuine interest. She really did want to know how you were today. She went out of her way to brighten their day.”
DoDo is survived by her children Ann (Robert), James (Carla), Katharine Hines (William), Charles (Linda) and Jean Burke (David), 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated July 19 (11 a.m., Assumption Church). In lieu of flowers, donations to Homes with Hope can be made in her name (PO Box 631, Westport, CT 0688).
A shining example of Catholic social justice. A wonderful example.
The Bacharach family is/was one of the things that makes Westport the excellent community that it is. What a privilege that they lived here and enriched us all.
DoDo, Jim and the Bacharach family gave so much to Westport and those in need during a very different era for our town. Each December, their Christmas carol sing in their charming historic home reminded us of how fortunate we were to be together and celebrate one another. It was the gift that kept on giving, year after year.
Across the street neighbor “Dodo” indelibly endured as one of those warm and wonderful people from childhood memory and I made a pilgrimage to see her when up there about ten years ago. At 87 she was robust in every sense. Indeed, when someone like Dodo passes, death becomes a little less daunting…