Obituary: Doris Joyce (Bonvino) Dooley, 84, of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From From Biega Funeral Home) Doris Joyce (Bonvino) Dooley, 84, the youngest child of the late Nicholas and Connie (Cubeta) Bonvino, passed peacefully on January 15 due to complications from COVID and after a five year battle with Alzehiemers.

Doris was born in Middletown on October 19, 1936. She attended Middletown Public Schools and graduated from Middletown High School in 1954, where she was a co-captain of the Tigers cheerleading squad and received other honors.

She earned Bachelors and Master’s degrees in elementary education from Central CT State University. She began her teaching career in the Cromwell CT public school system. She married Richard P (Dick) Dooley of Middletown in 1960.

After taking a break from teaching to raise her two sons, Doris resumed her public school teaching career in Middletown – spending much of her career at Wilbert Snow and Van Buren Moody elementary schools. She left a lasting impression on many first and second graders who were lucky enough to have “Mrs. Dooley.” She retired in 2000.

Some of her favorite things were spending time at her family’s cottage in Old Saybrook, CT, enjoying visits with her grandchildren, watching UCONN women’s basketball, socializing with her close-knit groups of friends from high school and college, and eating ice cream.

She was a talented painter, creating many original works with both oil-based and water color paints. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Pius X Church and a member of their Rosary Altar Society. Doris was a survivor of the 1944 Hartford Circus fire.

An attentive listener and caring mother, she was a wonderful caretaker for her husband Dick after his stroke and subsequent health problems throughout his later years until his passing in 2013.

She is predeceased by six sisters, one brother and her husband Dick. She is survived by her two sons; Richard and his wife Teresa of Tolland, CT and Jeffrey and his wife Miranda of Austin, TX, and five grandchildren: Kaitlin, Connor, Kevin, Luciana and Kaspian and well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Her sons would like to thank the staff at Twin Maples Nursing Home in Durham CT and Meadow Mills Assisted Living in Hamden CT for their care and compassion for their mother.

Burial will be private at the convenience of the family and a celebration of life will be held when it is safe for people to gather together again. A scholarship fund for a Middletown High School graduating senior pursuing a career in teaching will be established in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation payable to Richard Dooley and sent to 14 Lisa Lane, Tolland, CT 06084 with the memo indicating “Doris Dooley Scholarship Fund.”

To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.