Dorothy G. Fresco, of Branford, 89, entered into eternal rest after a brief illness on Nov. 19 at Connecticut Hospice with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Armand “Poncho” Fresco, the love of her life. Dorothy was born in Bridgewater, Vermont, April 24, 1925, daughter of the late Donald and Bernice Oppel.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters Sandra Fresco and Bernice “Bunnie” Gagliardi, both of Branford; her very special grandchildren William Carroll of Henderson, Nevada, Shannon (Todd) Hamilton of Branford, and Dr. Armand “AJ” Gagliardi (Nina Savastano) of Branford. She is also survived by her adored great-grandchildren Melissa Kelsey, Nicholas “Nicky” Kelsey, and Kyle, James, and Alyssa Carroll of Henderson, Nevada; and her sister Shirley Slater of Pinellas County, Florida. She was predeceased by her daughter Noreen Fresco-DePino, and her siblings Ila Wall, Winnie Newton, Gladys Burns, Elaine Atwater, Virginia Hutchison, Lloyd Goodrich, and Raymond Oppel. Known by many as “Nonnie” and second to none for her amazing cooking skills, especially her legendary apple pies, she always had room for one more at our table. As matriarch of our family she was always at the helm of all our family celebrations, and would cook for hours until the aromas could be noticed from the front door. She made every occasion a special one. We love you; we miss you, and we will always carry you in our hearts.

Her funeral will leave the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford, Nov. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Friends may call Nov. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, or to Branford Hills Health Care Center, 189 Alps Rd., Branford, CT 06405. For directions and an online memorial, please visit www.wsclancy.com.