Dolores Marie McDermott

Dolores Marie McDermott, 72, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on September 30, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dolores was the third of four children of John and Mary Riddle.  She graduated from St. Hubert Catholic High School in Philadelphia and earned her nursing degree from Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida.  Dolores devoted more than twenty years to caring for patients as a registered nurse, both in home health and hospital settings.

She faced every struggle in life with courage and grace, including her long battle with an autoimmune condition that ultimately led to a double lung transplant.  With characteristic strength, she defied the odds and lived nearly fourteen years following her transplant.

Dolores’ kindness and humor left a lasting mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.  Above all, she will be remembered for her faith and unwavering love for her family.  She shared a lifelong closeness with her parents and siblings, and the joy of her life was being a devoted mother and grandmother.  She raised three beloved sons as a single mother and took immense pride in her eight grandchildren.

Dolores is survived by her sons and their families: David McDermott (wife Kristina; children Savanna, David, and Connor), Sean McDermott (wife Caline; children Finn, Julien, and Lucine), and Kevin McDermott (wife Joy; daughters Bree and Brynn).  She is also survived by her sister Carol Garty, sister Maureen Pearsall, and brother John Riddle.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary (“Bud and Reds”) Riddle.

Please contact the family or the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida for date and time of the Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Dolores, the family invites donations to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (www.primaryimmune.org/donate), which supports individuals and families affected by Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) and other primary immunodeficiencies.