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Fay Dorothy

Fay Chadwick Dorothy sadly passed away peacefully to the Lord on Jan. 9, 2024, at 11:05 p.m. She was born and raised in Rockport, Massachusetts, on Feb. 16, 1934. Mom was 89 years young, just shy of her 90th birthday. She was surrounded by her big, beautiful, loving family.

She was married 55 years to her hubby Paul Dorothy Sr., who predeceased her in 2009. She was also predeceased by her parents, Pauline and George Chadwick of Rockport; an infant grandson, W. Michael Prevost of Old Saybrook; and a grandson, Robert Burr Jr. of Clinton.

Mom worked various jobs during her lifetime, starting at the Gloucester Massachusetts Fish Plant. That’s where she met the love of her life, Dad, Paul Sr. She also worked at Friendly’s in Old Saybrook and held the books for Chubs Esso with her husband Paul. Fortune Plastics, Structural Graphics, and, one time, sold Disney products and campers with Dad. Her last job was driving for 9 Town Transit. Mom, like Dad, always wanted to help others in the community. In 1974, they started and organized, with the help of others, the beginning of the Old Saybrook Ambulance. They dedicated 33 years of their life to the ambulance, helping and saving people. Mom and Dad were so dedicated to the Old Saybrook ambulance that all the family would help make Christmas floats every year for the Torchlight parade, for which they dressed up as Santa and Mrs.Claus. They loved their town.

In Mom’s younger years, she loved so many of the Floral Park kids; she treated them like they were her own. They called her the “Neighborhood Mom,” Nana, or Mrs. D. It was a safe place; they could run in and grab a snack, lemonade, PBJ or fluff, sandwich, or just play. She had a big heart, always keeping her door open. Anyone Mom would meet you were now part of the family. She did have a bit of a mischievous side to her, which we all loved, especially around holidays. She always was having fun with the kids. We will all miss the twinkle in her eyes, the little head shake, when she laughed whenever we joked with her. One thing about “Ma,” as we all called her, if her cable went out or her computer was broken, “Oh man, the alarms sounded; someone better be there quick to fix.” Because she loved watching her stories (soaps), NASCAR, especially when Bill Elliot was racing, then it went Chase Elliot, or a Hallmark movie. Mom loved saying good morning to her family and friends every day on Facebook. We all looked forward to it.

Mom always enjoyed supporting her family, racing at the Bowl, and watching the grandchildren go through all their events at school sports, plays, recitals, and concerts. She also enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center, going out for coffee or breakfast, and sometimes going to the casino for lunch. A day was not complete for Ma unless she got her newspaper with some scratch tickets hidden inside and a treat from Dairy Queen. When she was still driving, going to Saybrook Point or taking a ride around Beach Route. Old Saybrook was her town, and she enjoyed every minute checking on it.

She loved vacationing in Florida, going to the Daytona races, Disney, New Hampshire, White Mountains, and Maine, as well as Rockport and Gloucester, Massachusetts. It was Christmas time, and Mom would talk Dad into going all over New England buying and looking for toys for their grandchildren, especially when Cabbage Patch Dolls, Holiday Barbies, the latest beanies, and special remote control NASCAR toys came out. The catch was Mom would also get toys for herself, too. Mom always was amazing and so proud of her family, always showing unconditional love for her family and friends.

Our hearts are broken. “We love you, Ma — always and forever. On Jan. 9, Dad came and got you that night. We all felt his presence. Chubs needed his Chunky with him.”

She is survived by five adult children and spouses: Paul Dorothy Jr. and Vicki, Old Lyme, Faye Burr and Robert Burr Sr., Clinton, Raymond Dorothy, Old Saybrook, David Dorothy and Lori, Old Saybrook, George Whitney, and Tiffany of Westbrook. Also surviving her are 21 grandchildren: Lynn Vece, Tina Checko and Andrew, Paul Dorothy III and Lindsay, Kevin Dorothy and Carmen, Kylie Dorothy, Brian Burr, Travis Burr, Melissa Allard and Roland, Katina Dorothy and James Tedford Sr., Jenny Smith, Crystal Dorothy, George Dorothy Jr., Shelby Dorothy, Nikki Lyss, Matthew Lyss, Genaro Labriola, Savannah Whitney, Jesse Whitney, Justin Whitney, James Tedford Jr., and Alyssa Vece; 17 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; cousins in Salem and Gloucester, Massachusetts; and extended family, Doaks and Mercers; and Julie Bellatuano.

We would like to send a special thank you to the nurses on seventh floor of Middlesex. First, for the wonderful care they gave to our Mom during her final days. Second, for accommodating all our needs with our big family, opening up all the extra rooms for us. Third, tolerating some noise in the rooms and hallway.

In lieu of flowers, please buy a five-dollar scratch ticket or a DQ ice cream. Think of Mom, Fay. She would love that. Donations in Fay’s honor can be made to Old Saybrook Ambulance, 316 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT 06371.

There will be no funeral or wake. A Celebration of Life is being planned for late spring.