The sun rose on the life of Josephine Maude (Cassell) Dottin on March 14, 1922 in Montserrat, the British West Indies, and it set on January 16th, 2016 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was the last living child of Phoebe and Michael Cassell. She had eight siblings: Ann, Winifred, Peter, Ina, Jim, Martha, Michael, and Rachel.
In Josephine’s formative years, she helped run the family bakery and typically pulled all-nighters to finish the cooking during Christmas and Easter. Josephine moved to the US with her sister, Winifred, during World War II and worked making boots for American soldiers. In 1950, she married Ivan Dottin and had four children: Yvonne Denise Dottin, Yvette Ina Dottin, and the twins Josette Patricia Dottin and Joann Renita Dottin.
Josephine and Ivan raised their family in Cambridge. She served as the matriarch of her neighborhood by providing information about job opportunities, driving her neighbors to Harvard Square to shorten their work commute, and frequently cooking meals for several families during the holiday season.
Josephine was involved in the Civil Rights Movement, helping African Americans gain membership into employee unions. In April, 1965 she participated in a two and a half mile march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. starting in the South End and culminating in Boston Common. A devout Catholic and very active member of St. Peter's Church in Cambridge, Josephine sang in the adult choir and often participated in its community service programs, embodying the philosophy that “service is the rent you pay for space on this earth.”
An avid reader and lover of books, Josephine began working as a librarian at Harvard University’s Weidner library in 1968. After years of taking night classes, she earned her degree, and later, shared her love of books with her family. An avid bowler, Josephine participated in a co-ed bowling league at Bowl Haven in Central Square.
Josephine is survived by her daughters Yvonne, Yvette and Joann; her grandchildren Randall Dottin, Tinika Dottin, Ronald Dottin, Dion Dottin, April Dottin, Tyisha Dottin, Sharnia Dottin and Tarenze Dottin; a number of nieces and nephews; and great grandchildren, Fehinti, Quincy and Tylah, as well as numerous cousins from the Cassell Family and the Dottin Family – one of the biggest families in Cambridge.
Josephine approached life with a ferocity born out of a love of God, family, community and social justice. Her legacy is one of commitment, compassion, faith and the idea that whatever journey we undertake, we can always do better. She will be fiercely missed but her example lives on in her loving family and vibrant community.
Visiting hours will be held at the Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 at St. Peter’s Church, 100 Concord Avenue, Cambridge at 10:00 am. Interment will be at Cambridge Cemetery.