Obituary of Dorothy DeRosa Dorothy F. Grinnell Newman DeRosa, age 98, of Shelton, beloved wife of the late Frank A. DeRosa and James A. Newman, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at her home with her loving family by her side. Born on January 10, 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Frieda Harzbecker Grinnell. Dorothy was a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word, as she operated various local businesses for many years, including the Happy Holiday Travel Agency of Derby, Plainville and Huntington and also managed the offices of The Sting Night Club.
Early in her life, Dorothy sang at the Boston Opera House, where actor Fred MacMurray was her talent scout. As the circle turned, she was thrilled to be entertained regularly by her granddaughter Courtney, who always sang two of her favorite songs, The Sound of Music and Edelweiss. She enjoyed attending shows at the Good Speed Opera House.
Her passion for singing and music was evident as she was always singing throughout her home. Summers were spent at her beach house on Old Colony Beach in Old Lyme. She was an animal lover but her family was her life.
Dorothy loved the visits of her two great grandsons, CJ and Andrew, who were a highlight in her later years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. Dorothy is survived by her loving children, James A. Newman, Jr. of New Britain, Joanne Newman of Plainville, Dorothy Newman of Huntington, Robert Newman and his wife Patricia of Cheshire, and Virginia Durso and her husband Vincent of Westville; her twelve cherished grandchildren, Shannon, Courtney, Bonnie, Dawna, Nancy, Tammy, Michelle, Ricky, Michael, Susie, Ronnie, and Rachel; her 24 adored great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; and her beloved pets, Susie, Charlie, Lola, Louie, Margo, Baby, Paws, and Lizzie.
In addition to her husbands Frank and James, Dorothy was predeceased by her son, Ronald Newman, Sr, her grandchildren, Scott, Bobby, Cheri, and Jimmy, Jr., brothers Charles, Robert, Otto, and Francis “Dukie” Grinnell, her daughters-in-law Barbara Newman and Joyce Newman, and sister-in-law, Rose Grinnell. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 11:30 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain.
Friends may greet the family at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shelton Animal Shelter, 11 Brewster Lane, Shelton, CT 06484.
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