Obituary: Dorothy "Dori" Mautte, 80, of Branford

Information via W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Dorothy "Dori" Mautte, of Mechanicsville, Virginia passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday May 3, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. Dori was born in New Haven CT on April 28 1934 to her parents, Alexander and Josephine Passick (Gemski).

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years Del Mautte, and a son Greg Mautte. Dori is survived by her son Marc Mautte and his wife Barbara of Ashland Virginia. She also leaves a host of cousins from her mom's family as well as her sister in law and husband, Charles and Joan Spiegel. Dori had 3 grandchildren that she adored, Melissa Mohr and her husband Brian (Mechanicsville, VA), Kevin Mautte and his wife Johanna (Midlothian VA), Abby Champagne and her husband Dennis (Honolulu, HI).

What Dori loved more than anything was to spend time with her six great grandsons (Dylan, Emory, Cameron, Carter, Grayson and Lane) who made her laugh and smile which was a joy to see.

Dori grew up in East Haven CT where she met Del, her high school sweet heart while attending East Haven High School. Upon graduating from Bridgeport University, she and Del married in 1955. Del served in the USMC and upon discharge, they moved to Branford CT where they were residents for many years until moving to Virginia to be closer to family in 2011.

When Del retired from teaching in the early 90's, they loved spending the winter months in Jupiter FL. Many of those moments and memories in Florida were spent with their best friend Kathi Sterling whom they had known since 1953, when Del and Bob Sterling (deceased 1984) met and became friends (brothers) while attending NYU. Dori, Del and Kathi traveled together extensively to destinations such as Europe, Italy, Alaska and other exotic locations. There is no doubt consumption of wine was a daily event during those memorable excursions. Kathi's children were like Dori's own and they all loved her immensely.

They are Kevin Sterling, Susan Van Vugt, Elizabeth Sterling and Amy Pentecost. Dori loved living close to the water while in Branford and looked forward every year to the family Outer Banks vacation when she moved to Virginia. She also loved her dog Clancy, trips to the lake house, being on the "party barge", fishing, thunderstorms, Brewster's ice cream, good restaurants, Hampden Sydney- Randolph Macon football games, playing canasta with her wonderful friends, and she never met a slot machine she didn't like.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St. Branford on Friday May 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Children's Medical Center by going to foundation@connecticutchildrens.org