Berlin Obituary: Dorothy Hirst, 94

Dorothy E. Hirst, 94, of Newington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 3, 2016. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas W. Hirst for 25 years.

Born and raised in Elyria, OH, daughter of the late James and Etta (Sayers) Ely, she came to Newington in 1959 and was a long-standing active member of the Church of Christ Congregational in Newington. Dorothy graduated with a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Oberlin College (formerly Schauffler College), and then went on to achieve her Master's in Religion from Hartford Seminary. Dorothy worked as a Youth Director at South Congregational Church in New Britain where she met her husband. She then when on to work as the Director of Religious Education at Kensington Congregational Church and then as the Volunteer Director at the Hartford Regional Center. She was the founder and board member of the Church of Christ Congregational Thrift Shop in Newington and a member of The Grange.

A loving mother and grandmother, she leaves her two daughters, Doreen Morris and her husband Lee of Plantsville, and Barbara Pavlowitz and her husband Steve of Plainville, and her grandson Bryan Pavlowitz and his wife Kayla of Bristol, and her future great grandson. She also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her siblings, James Ely and Mary Lyons.

Her family would like to thank her aide Yanina for her care and compassion.

Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 9th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ, Congregational. Burial will follow in Center Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington.

Memorial donations may be made to the Church of Christ Congregational, 1075 Main St., Newington, CT 06111.