Norwich - Margaret Mary (Clarkin) Dolan, born on Aug. 5, 1926, daughter of the late Patrick and Mary (Casey) Clarkin, in her beloved Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, R.I., passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. She was married to the love of her life, Owen F. Dolan Sr., on July 19, 1947. He predeceased her in 2009 after 62 years of marriage.After devoting herself to raising her family, Mom held several jobs through the years, working at a couple of different schools, doing mainly secretarial work. She took a few college courses, then enrolled in Eastern Connecticut State College full time, graduating magna cum laude in 1981. In her job at Norwich Adult Education, she counseled adults who were working to earn a high school diploma through courses or study for the GED exam. Many of these early students were World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans. She also did academic counseling and career counseling or referrals to available services. In her work at Adult Education in Norwich, Mom met Joe Murphy, Omer Gagnon and Dick Bilda – all highly devoted administrators and educators who gave freely of themselves, their time, and expertise to all they encountered, be they students or teachers. Mom clearly loved this job, sharing time with three of the funniest, most caring individuals she had ever known.Mom loved her God, her husband, her eight children, fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, music, reading, musicals, and all things Irish – food, beverages (Jameson's not so much, Bailey's a bit more), movies, and especially her Irish jokes. She suffered from childhood as a Red Sox fan, finally enjoying their three World Series titles. Mom and Dad spent a lot of time researching the Clarkin and Dolan family trees in Ireland and Scotland, gathering information and pictures. She enjoyed nothing more than family gatherings, reunions, picnics - all celebrations of life.She is survived by five sons, Owen (Paula) Dolan Jr., of Alexandria, Va., Patrick (Eileen) Dolan of Norwich, Michael (Sheri) Dolan of Norwich, John (Kathleen) Dolan of Salem, and Joseph (Diane) Dolan of Lebanon; three daughters, Maureen (William) McMullen of Sudbury, Mass., Catherine (Brian) Carroll of Lisbon and Ann (Gregory) Arpin of Canterbury; her grandchildren, Meagan (Gordon) Sheffield, Matthew McMullen, Casey (Caitlin) Dolan, Sarah (Josh) Adamec, James Dolan, Mary Dolan, Micaela Carroll, Daniel Carroll, Richelle Topping, Kaitlyn (Ryan) Klosterman, Jake Arpin, Colleen Dolan, Kevin Dolan, Carley Dolan, Shannon Dolan, and Liam Dolan. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Rosalyn and Kellen Adamec and Kinsley Ann Klosterman. She was the matriarch of the Dolan-Clarkin-McDonald clan, with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews surviving her; as well as her sisters-in-law, Betsy Clarkin and Rosalie Meehan.She was predeceased by her brother, William F. Clarkin; and sister, Alice (Clarkin) McDonald.Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at the Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff St., Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Taftville.In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to St. Vincent de Paul Place, Hospice of SE Connecticut or in her name.