PROSPECT — Dorothy A. (Turrell) Forino, age 92, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Saint Mary’s Hospital. She was the devoted wife of the late Anthony J. Forino Sr.
Born in Waterbury on Dec. 10, 1930, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Raymond and Anna (Lynch) Turrell. Dorothy spent her childhood in the Hotchkissville section of Woodbury. She was a graduate of Wilby High School, class of 1948, where she excelled as a softball pitcher.
A woman ahead of her time, Dorothy was a working woman and took pride in working hard. She worked at US Rubber, Chase Brass and Copper and the Tower Grill.
Dorothy was a longtime communicant of St. Teresa of Avila Church in Woodbury, where she was a soloist in their choir. Her voice was a gift she shared with the world, especially singing in several choirs, and winning a gold bracelet for her voice.
Dorothy enjoyed playing the organ, duck pin bowling and was a talented floral arranger. Her arrangements were always awe-inspiring and unique. Her flowers adorned many events for family and friends. Dorothy loved her trips to the casino and her annual trips to Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.
Despite her difficult childhood and suffering many dramatic losses, Dorothy always lived a very dignified life. While working full time, Dorothy was a strict but forgiving mom to her six children.
She also managed to tend to the yard, tidy the house and still put a delicious meal on the table every night. As a family they enjoyed their camping trips to Lone Oaks Campground in Canaan.
She always strived to make her family’s life as easy as possible. Being the matriarch of a large family, holidays and Sunday dinners were notorious and memorable feasts. As she grew older, she had a better appreciation for spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Philip Forino and his wife Cheryl of Waterbury, Sandra Beyer and her husband Robert of Waterbury, Kathleen Christiano and her husband James of Prospect, and Lorna Forino-Martone and her husband Anthony “Butch” of Waterbury.
She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; and her sisters Mae Belle Ramos of Waterbury and Shirley Turrell; and as well as many generations of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Anthony, Dorothy was predeceased by her sons Anthony J. Forino Jr. and Mark Forino; her grandson Jack Walsh; her great-grandsons Dominic Christiano and Joseph Walsh; her brothers Raymond, Frank, and George Turrell and her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Jervis.
Her family would like to thank Lirian “Lala” Rodriguez and Nella Desorbo for their exceptional and compassionate care.
Dorothy’s funeral was to be on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 9 a.m. from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury, to St. Teresa of Avila Church, 146 Main St. South, Woodbury, for a Mass at 11 a.m. Burial was to follow in Woodbury Cemetery in Woodbury. Family and friends were to visit with the family at the funeral home from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s name may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959; and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106.
For information, to sign the online guest book or to leave online condolences, visit maioranofuneralhome.com.