Dolores Meskunas Johnson, of Yarmouth Port, died on May 18, 2022. She was 93 years old. She died peacefully at her home and was amongst friends and family in the days before her death.

Dolores was born Maria Catherine Ricco in Astoria, NY to Madeline Abelli and Antonio Ricco. Before her first birthday Madeline took her daughter, now named Dolores Ann and returned to Roccaferrara Italy where she lived the first 10 years of her life. As war loomed in Europe, they returned to the United States where Madeline married Jack Fabiano and lived in Waterbury’ CT.

Dolores attended the University of Connecticut and majored in Biology, and after graduation went to work for Pfizer. She was one of hundreds of researchers working on the very first Flu vaccine, and told stories of how laboratory researchers tested the vaccines on themselves! Later in life she worked as a commercial real estate broker in Boston, MA as well as an administrator for Massachusetts General Hospital.

She met and married John Peter Meskunas and had two children, John Anthony and Paul Albert, both of whom survive her, along with her six grandchildren; Dr. Chelsea Hesterman, John Louis Meskunas, Dr. Haley Meskunas, Luke Angelo Meskunas, Fay Meskunas and Ruby Meskunas. She also lives behind two great grandchildren; Chase and Mila Hesterman.

In 1987 she met and later married Alan W. Johnson and they lived in Sudbury, MA as well as in Florida and eventually moved to Yarmouth Port, MA for retirement and lived at King’s Way. Both Dolores and Alan (who predeceased her in 2017) were avid golfers, readers, and birders. They enjoyed time on the Cape and Dolores and Alan were avid Bridge players. Most of all Dolores enjoyed being with her family, children, and grandchildren.

Dolores will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA on Thursday, May 26, 2022 1:30pm.

Although we never met Dolores, we have heard many stories from Jack and it felt like we knew her. She was a great person and it obvious she had a wonderful life. May she rest in peace.

We just put Dolores on the prayer list for special healing- and God had different plans! A poet, Emily Dickinson wrote: "The Bustle in the house The morning after death Is solemnest of industries Enacted upon Earth The Sweeping up the Heart and putting Love away We shall not want to use again Until Eternity. Emily Dickinson Jack, my condolences to you and your family! With sympathy, Michael