Dorothy A. DeFerrari

Mrs. Dorothy A. DeFerrari, age 83, of Shelton, joined her family in heaven on September 1, 2018. She was born in Bridgeport and was a life-long area resident and member of St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton.

The child of Clifford and Helen Burns Fulton, Dorothy was born on February 7th, 1935. Lovingly referred to as Dotty, she attended Harding High School of Bridgeport for 3 years and graduated from Stratford High School in 1953. In her early twenties, Dotty was a ballroom dance instructor at Dale Dance Studio, where she met her beloved husband Alfred “Al” DeFerrari. They married at St. Charles Church in Bridgeport in 1959. They lovingly raised their two daughters and were together for more than 25 years until Al’s sudden passing in 1986.

Dotty worked as an executive secretary for many years at former Bunting, Inc. and retired from the legal department of People's Bank.

Always quick to laugh and smile, Dotty had a wonderful sense of humor her entire life. Her light-hearted and playful demeanor continued to make us laugh even after dementia settled in.

Dotty will be remembered as a loving caretaker of her family, and for her patience and presence with her grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews, spending hours playing Monopoly and cards, always with music and a large supply of ice cream, candy and desserts.

Affectionately known as “Auntie Dot,” she loved and will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and Godchildren.

Dotty’s many faithful friends and caring neighbors were loved dearly and considered family, and she was always grateful for the care she received from her special Aryane and the staff at Benchmark and Bridges.

She will be fondly remembered by her love of music and endless singing, especially her favorite songs “You are my sunshine” and “We’re on our way.”

Dotty is survived by her two daughters, Lisa Lawrence and her husband Stephen of Southport, Amy Joyce of Shelton; her best friend and brother Tommy Fulton and his wife Joan of Shelton; her sister-in-law Nancy DeFerrari and her wife Deb of Lake Mary, FL; her grandchildren, Michael Davidson, Joey Joyce, Micaela Joyce, Mackenzie Joyce and Owen Lawrence. She was predeceased by her cherished siblings, her sister and “second mother” Helen Driscoll and brother-in-law Henry “Gus” Driscoll of Bridgeport; adored sister Marge Arsenault and brother-in-law Jean “Cy” Arsenault of Stratford; and her precious brother Bobby Fulton of Bridgeport. Friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Thursday at 10:15 a.m.  at the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Trumbull and at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Avenue, Huntington. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may greet the family on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

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