Greenfield, MA – Dorothy “Dolly” Arsenault, 82, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday July 29, 2026. Dorothy was born in January 1944, in Lynn MA, to parents John and Rita (Owens) Quill. She was the second oldest in a family of six tight-knit siblings. She spent her childhood in Lynn and graduated from Saint Mary’s Girls’ High School in 1961.
She married Alfred (Al) Arsenault in 1966 and together they relocated to Western MA, where they raised a daughter. They remained married until Al’s passing in 1992.
Throughout her career, Dorothy worked in a variety of administrative and secretarial roles. She spent 22 years as a secretary at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in Greenfield, MA, where she welcomed and supported countless children and their families with warmth, kindness and compassion.
She was fortunate to meet Richard Bongiovanni, who she married in 2006. Throughout the past 20 years, Richard and Dorothy shared countless walks, travels, movies and meaningful times with family.
Dorothy had a passion for reading and writing. She could often be found with a book in her hand and was a patron of the Greenfield Public Library for decades. She was among the group of volunteers that helped secure the Greenfield Public Library’s new building. Dorothy had been a member of the Senior Center writing group since 2012, and became a prolific writer, producing numerous works of memoir and fiction, specializing in mysteries. She was also active in the Greenfield Senior Center, regularly participating in exercise classes and enjoying friendships there.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Richard Bongiovanni of Greenfield; her daughter Katherine Arsenault and her wife Jennifer Wheeler of Greenfield; sisters Theresa McLaughlin of Saugus, Helen Quill of Danvers, and Imelda Merry of Peabody; stepchildren Danielle Bongiovanni and her spouse Faith of Florida, Suzanne Bongiovanni of Deerfield, Matthew Bongiovanni and his partner Chris of Rhode Island and Paul Bongiovanni of Deerfield as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday 8/13 at 2PM at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St. Greenfield.
A calling hour will be held from 1pm until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to Greenfield Public Library 412 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301, Greenfield Senior Center 35 Pleasant St. Greenfield, MA 01301 or to Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 101 Munson St., suite 103, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com
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