Dorothy "Dot" Riley D'Avella, 91, of 35 Edward Ave., passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 10, 2014, surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Newburgh, N.Y., on April 20, 1923, the daughter of William and Grace Riley, she grew up in Newburgh and attended local schools, graduating from Newburgh Free Academy . She married Francis H. D'Avella at Saint Patrick's Church in Catskill, N.Y., on Aug. 3, 1943. Together they raised seven successful children. Francis passed away in 1996 after 52 years of marriage. Dorothy was also predeceased by her sister, Mildred, in 2007. She was retired from Sacred Heart School cafeteria after several years of employment. Dorothy enjoyed entertaining with family and friends, and she was an avid Red Sox Fan, and cheered the loudest when they won the World Series in 2004. Dorothy leaves five sons, Donald and his fiance, Deborah Sanborn, of San Francisco, Calif., Francis (Bud) and his wife, Darlene, Michael and his wife Vera, Thomas and his wife, Bonnie, all of Pittsfield, and John and his wife, Amy of Manchester, N.H.; two daughters, Kathleen Weidman of Russell, Mass., and Colleen Douglass and her husband George of Land of Lakes, Fla., and her special daughter-in-law, Jane Provenzano and her husband, Peter, of Canaan, N.Y. Dorothy also leaves 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dot's caregivers, Judy Tobler, Katie Montgomery and Amy Somerville all of Home Instead Senior Care, and also Meghan Colombari for their devotion to making Dot's last months happy and comfortable. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will take place Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 9 a.m. from the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Church with the Rev. John C. Salatino, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, July 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Dorothy's name to the Ronald McDonald House in care of the funeral home. Please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
Dorothy "Dot" Riley D'Avella, 91, of 35 Edward Ave., passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 10, 2014, surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Newburgh, N.Y., on April 20, 1923, the daughter of William and Grace Riley, she grew up in Newburgh and attended local schools, graduating from Newburgh Free Academy . She married Francis H. D'Avella at Saint Patrick's Church in Catskill, N.Y., on Aug. 3, 1943. Together they raised seven successful children. Francis passed away in 1996 after 52 years of marriage. Dorothy was also predeceased by her sister, Mildred, in 2007. She was retired from Sacred Heart School cafeteria after several years of employment. Dorothy enjoyed entertaining with family and friends, and she was an avid Red Sox Fan, and cheered the loudest when they won the World Series in 2004. Dorothy leaves five sons, Donald and his fiance, Deborah Sanborn, of San Francisco, Calif., Francis (Bud) and his wife, Darlene, Michael and his wife Vera, Thomas and his wife, Bonnie, all of Pittsfield, and John and his wife, Amy of Manchester, N.H.; two daughters, Kathleen Weidman of Russell, Mass., and Colleen Douglass and her husband George of Land of Lakes, Fla., and her special daughter-in-law, Jane Provenzano and her husband, Peter, of Canaan, N.Y. Dorothy also leaves 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dot's caregivers, Judy Tobler, Katie Montgomery and Amy Somerville all of Home Instead Senior Care, and also Meghan Colombari for their devotion to making Dot's last months happy and comfortable. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will take place Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 9 a.m. from the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Church with the Rev. John C. Salatino, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, July 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Dorothy's name to the Ronald McDonald House in care of the funeral home. Please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com