Obituary
Altieri, Dorothy I.
Fairport: Formerly of Bronx, NY. October 13, 2016. Predeceased by husband, James. Survived by children, Gregory (Maria) Altieri and Lorraine (Mark) Warner; grandchildren, Melissa and Allison Warner; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours Tuesday 5-7 at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, Egypt Location, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport. Funeral Mass and Interment will be held in Bronx, NY. In lieu of flowers please consider St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For further info: www.keenanfuneralhomes.com
Life Story
Dorothy “Dottie” Altieri ( or “Dolly” to her closest relatives) was born in Manhattan on May 28, 1919. She was the oldest of 4 children. Rosie, Sonny and Angie were her siblings. She grew up in a typical Italian household of her time being responsible for caring for her sisters and brother and helping her Mother with the cooking and cleaning. She graduated from the Manhattan Trade School with a specialty in Dressmaking. She worked in the garment district in NYC in the 1930’s as a seamstress. This talent she carried through her life often creating beautiful gowns and dresses for herself and her family and also decorating her home with her handmade items.
She enjoyed everything about NYC during her younger years including going to shows, dancing and seeing Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong at the Apollo theatre in Harlem where grew up and spent her early years.
She married her husband, Jimmy after World War 2 at the age of 30 and became a homemaker. The family moved to a house in the Bronx and as was traditional for many Italian families, she shared the home with her parents who lived there as well. She had her children, Gregory and Lorraine and spent 14 years as a housewife. The home in the Bronx became a magnet for family with the extended family often gathering for many happy traditional Italian Sunday dinners with many Aunts and Uncles and cousins. It was a very happy time.
Her husband James died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve in 1963. At that point, at the age of 45, Dottie had to join the workforce and also learn to drive. She was ahead of her time as a working Mom as many women in that era didn’t drive or work but she did it! She worked at various jobs until she decided she needed a job with a work/life balance so she went to work for the NYC Board of Education as a school lunch worker. She had her summers off and vacations so she could be with her children and also support her family. She was very proud of her 25 years there and worked until the age of 74. She worked very hard and put two children through Catholic High School and College and kept them safe and on the right path in life. She was a strong role model for her children teaching them to work hard, be respectful, and live a good life. Her motivation in life was first and foremost the welfare of her children.
She worked hard in her home also to maintain it to perfection. She often bragged that she did “men’s work” at home in that she needed to learn to paint, wallpaper, repair concrete, and fix what needed to be repaired since she did not have a husband to rely on. Her house was always immaculate and decorated to a tee.
Dottie had many friends and relatives and was loved by all. She was gregarious and fun. She would often meet with her many extended cousins and other family and enjoyed outings to their homes or going to shows and musicals. She was the life of the party. She loved being with everyone and she always made a point to include every family member in any special occasion. She was an excellent cook. During the Holidays she would help her Mother prepare delicious Italian meals and special desserts. Luckily, she documented her recipes so they could be shared.
Dottie had 2 grandchildren Melissa and Allison who were the “Apple of her eye”. She would often have them spend weeks in the summer with her in the Bronx where she would take them on excursions all around New York City. They went to Museums, the Bronx Zoo, Broadway shows, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square. She never tired even into her late 70’s. She would run anywhere with them just so they would have fun.
In her later years, she moved to Fairport, NY to be near her daughter, Lorraine. She had hip replacements at the age of 90 which gave her a new lease on life. She became active in the Perinton Community Senior Center groups and especially enjoyed the Perinton Senior Chorus where she would rehearse weekly and then participate in singing at various Nursing Homes in the community. These activities brought her such joy. She did this up to her 97th birthday!
Dottie will be remembered by all as the “Energizer Bunny”. She was always smiling and happy and on the go. She had a “can do” attitude and never gave up. She smiled through all adversity and kept on going. She was everyone’s favorite and always had something positive to say to anyone and everyone she met. She was tough as nails but had a heart of gold. She will be missed.