Obituary: Dorothy Mae (Ritchey) Kersten

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Dorothy Mae (Ritchey) Kersten

BEACON FALLS — Dorothy Mae (Ritchey) Kersten, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully with one of her loving sons, Stanley, at her side at Waterbury Hospital on Feb. 12, 2018.

She was born May 21, 1930 in Stamford, daughter of the late Harold and Ana Ritchey. She lived in Stamford, Tampa, Fla., and Beacon Falls. She was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband of 64 years, Edward L. Kersten. Her greatest smiles came when she was talking about, playing with and watching her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No conversation started without an update on all of them.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Leroy and Arlene Ritchey of Vista, N.Y., Frank and Lois Ritchey of Kent, and Rodney and Louise Ritchey of Bangor, Maine; her four sisters, Mildred and Hughie Mills of Bridgeport, Janet and Eddie Baisley of New Milford, Anna and William Novak of Stamford, and Patricia Smith of Tampa, Fla.

She is survived by her three sons and wives who she loved deeply, Stanley and Kathryn Kersten of Beacon Falls, Henry and Leslie Kersten of Waverly, Tenn., and Rodney and Ann Kersten of Bolivia, N.C.

The biggest smiles lately came from her seven grandchildren, Michelle and Martin Wojtyniak, Sarah and Alan Sedlak, Brian Kersten, Joanne Kersten, William Kersten, Nancy Ann and Michael Macri, and Andrew and Raquel Daniello. A bolt of lightning would strike if we failed to mention her six great-grandchildren, Lucas Wojtyniak, Carter Sedlak, and Anthony, Lincoln, Andrew and Stella Daniello. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Marvin Smith of Tampa, Fla., and numerous nieces and nephews from Florida to Maine.

Dorothy was always quietly in the background assisting were needed, especially at the old St. Mary’s School, as anything from lunch mom to PTA president. She was one of the founders of St. Mary’s Church’s Martha’s Guild and helped start the Thrift Shop in the basement of the church. We all loved her and will miss her and just like the commercial used to say “Priceless.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 25 Maple Ave., Beacon Falls. Family and friends may visit with the family from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22201.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.