Dolores Joan McAvoy died on Feb. 17 at the age of 83 in her home in Dowagiac, Michigan, after a brief battle with cancer.
She was wife of the former Director of Athletics and head football coach John “Jack” McAvoy, who died in 2008. She was a great supporter of Hillsdale College athletics and of her husband during his 29 years of service at the college, and both were beloved figures of Hillsdale.
Dolores was born in Dowagiac on August 2, 1931. Jack attended Hillsdale College, where he played football in the ’50s under Frank “Muddy” Waters. Jack and Dolores were married on her birthday in 1958. They had four sons and one daughter. They moved to Hillsdale in 1974 when Jack became the head football coach for the Chargers. He also took on various other positions during his time at Hillsdale. They remained in Hillsdale until Jack’s retirement in 1996.
Granddaughter and senior Michelle McAvoy said that she has fond memories of summers spent at her grandparents’ lake house and sailing on Lake Michigan. She said that both her grandparents were very invested in the lives of student-athletes during their time at the college.
“Both of them leave a tradition of being very involved at the college and very caring of the students, especially the student-athletes. It continues on with the personal connection that Hillsdale has with the students. They were very involved in the students’ lives,” McAvoy said. “I know my grandpa did a lot of that and obviously my grandma was behind that as well.”
She said that her grandparents lived across from the football field, so they would host huge homecoming parties.
McAvoy also said her grandmother enjoyed puzzles and reading, and was a woman of strong faith. She was devoted to her family and friends and an active parishioner at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
“My grandma was raising my dad and his four other siblings while he was coaching and athletic director, so she was really busy with that. But eventually when all their children were at the college I know she was really involved and knew a lot of people up the hill,” McAvoy said.
The saying “behind every great man is a great woman” rings true for Dolores and Jack McAvoy, as friends attest. Many called her a sweet and gentle soul, and that she and her husband made Hillsdale a beloved place.
Dolores is survived by her four sons. Her daughter preceded her in death in 2007. The family has asked for memorials to be made to the Dolores McAvoy Scholarship Fund at Hillsdale College.
The funeral Mass is on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac.
