Dorothy Waltz
Griswold — Dorothy Louise Waltz passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017, while in the hospital in New London.
Dorothy was born in Paterson, N.J., on Dec. 29, 1937, to the late Elmer and Louise (Grassia) Waltz, the third of four daughters. Before retiring to Griswold in 1993, Dorothy lived in Fair Haven, N.J. as well as Locust, N.J. Additionally she was a parishioner of St. Thomas Church in Voluntown.
When Dorothy was a young woman, her family moved from Paterson to Fair Haven, where she took business courses at Monmouth College in West Long Branch, N.J. Dorothy worked as the sales manager in the juvenile furniture department of Little Silver Mikes, a toy and furniture store owned by her father and uncle, Michael Grassia, in Little Silver, N.J. Little Silver Mikes was sold in 1977, after which Dorothy and a partner purchased and operated the Apple Inn in Colts Neck, N.J. for a number of years. After selling the Apple Inn, Dorothy worked in various retail establishments in New Jersey until moving to Griswold.
As a child and later as an adult, Dorothy spent many happy days on Billings Lake in North Stonington, where her family owned a cottage. Dorothy loved nature, and was known to take in any animal in need, including her five cats, Blizzard, Barnaby, Ramses, Chloe, and CeeCee. Dorothy especially enjoyed riding her golf cart around her vast property, which included a large vegetable garden from which she enjoyed canning and the feeling of “living off the land.”
Dorothy is survived by her three sisters, Helen Lauterio, Marie Greasheimer and Elma Stoveken; and a cousin, Bobby Grassia. Dorothy is also survived by her beloved niece and goddaughter, Lee Bridgewater, who cared for her in her final years, and her family; and several nephews and their families. She is also survived by five stepchildren, Eddie, Donna, Maria, Michael, and Jennifer, and their respective families.
In February 2016, Dorothy was predeceased by her cherished longtime friend and companion, Edgar Widmann.
On Aug. 17, a Funeral Mass was held at St. Thomas Church, 61 Preston St. in Voluntown. A graveside burial immediately followed at St. Thomas Cemetery.