Dolores Ann Conallen

Dolores Ann (McGettigan) Conallen, affectionately known to everyone as “Dee,” passed away peacefully on June 28, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1948, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. and Kathleen M. (Sweeney) McGettigan.

She was a graduate of Annunciation BVM Catholic Elementary School and Prendergast High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at West Chester University.

Dee was the beloved wife of Michael James Conallen, Sr. for 53 years. She began her married life as a devoted military wife, and enthusiastically made sacrifices for the next 20 years in support of her husband Michael, as he rose through the ranks of the U.S. Navy. Together, they raised 4 children in locations as distant as Japan and the Philippines and had the opportunity to travel world. Her sense of adventure, independence, and fortitude allowed her to embrace this time with joy and excitement. Deep and lasting friendship were forged in each new location through mutual understanding and support of the pride and challenges of being a military family.

Through the many years of living abroad and far from home, Dee never let the distance separate her from her parents, sisters and brothers, and childhood friends who she adored. Wherever she lived, “home” was always where her family was and nothing was more important to her than spending each summer reconnecting with them in Philadelphia and, especially, her most treasured place on earth, Strathmere, NJ.

After settling in the Philadelphia area, Dee went on to forge her own successful career in the real estate industry, holding titles that included VP of Main Line Federal Savings Bank Title Company and Relocation Director of Coldwell Banker Preferred. But the career she loved most was being a Mom to her 4 children and MomMom to her 8 grandchildren. Her home was always filled with her children’s friends as they grew up. She became a second mom to many, and she was happiest when her kids were having fun. The unique connection she had with each of her grandchildren is nothing short of extraordinary. There was no gift she could give to any of them that was more valuable than time with her. She was fiercely loving, supportive, fun-loving and silly. The smile on their faces, when she would arrive, could light up the room. She will be sorely missed by each of them.

Dee had a love for the arts, literature, music and especially opera. She was a gifted cook and hostess, throwing countless parties with ease and grace. No good party ended without dancing, storytelling, belly laughs, and cups of tea. Dee will be remembered for her unparalleled kindness, her ability to make everyone she met feel loved and included, her sweet nature, sense of humor, and unwavering strength and resolve. She was a true embodiment of Christ in her compassion and unconditional love of others.

Dee was the loving mother of Michael J. Conallen, Jr., Rita Conallen, Christopher M. Conallen (Gina), Maureen M. Doron (Nathan), and Genevieve C. Burger (Eric).  She was the devoted grandmother of Grace, Joseph, Francis, Leo, Luke, Noah, Tobias and Juliette. Dee is survived by her dear siblings, Susan Moock, Patricia Harkins (Michael), Nancy Paterni (David), John McGettigan (Doreen), and Michael McGettigan.  Dee is also survived by her brother-in-law, William Conallen (Kathy), two sisters-in-law Mary Rowley (Michael) and Marylee Conallen, and 32 nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by one brother, Francis McGettigan, two sisters, Kathleen Scoboria and MaryAnne Becker, her nephew, John McGettigan Jr., her sister-in-law, Micki McGettigan, three brothers-in-law, James Conallen, James Moock and Robert Becker, two aunts, Adele Rutter and Doris Cooney, her uncle, Nick Cooney, and her mother and father-in-law, James and Marion Conallen.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00. Interment Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dee would be appreciated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, https://www.lbbc.org, an organization dedicated to providing community support to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, post-treatment, and living with metastatic disease or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, https://www.bcrf.org, an organization dedicated to funding life-saving research in the fight against breast cancer.