Dorothy “Dottie” Abbondanza Mannetti, 88, passed away Feb. 28, 2018, at Pendleton Rehab & Nursing Center in Mystic.
Born Aug. 14, 1929, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Romeo and Josephine Abbondanza. Dorothy moved to Fishers Island, N.Y., with her family during WWII, where her father was the barber at Fort H.G. Wright. After graduating from Fishers Island School in 1947, she moved to NYC and graduated from the Marinello School of Beauty. She worked as a hairdresser until her marriage. After living many years in Port Chester, N.Y., in 1969, the family permanently settled in Ledyard. She returned to work part time and seasonally on Fishers Island, managing the island’s beauty shop, The Tidal Wave, until her retirement.
Dorothy’s sweet and caring disposition touched all who knew her. She loved baking and cooking her Italian specialties for the family, reading a good book at the beach, playing her organ, and enjoyed crafts, puzzles and games. Her blue eyes especially sparkled as she talked about her children and grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Mario Mannetti; her four children, Diane Steverman (Brian), Philip Mannetti, James Mannetti, and Laura Chapman (Michael); eight grandchildren, Emily Scharsu, Amanda Selvidio, Samuel, Joseph, Maxwell, and Amelia Mannetti, and Christopher and Spencer Chapman; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Benjamin Scharsu. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Sue Aquila, and daughter-in-law Laura (Tesoriero) Mannetti.
A Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 9 on Fishers Island. A reception will follow at the Chapman home on Alpine Ave.
Donations in her name may be made to Disabled American Veterans. To leave an online condolence, please go to www. dinotofuneral.com.
Published in The Day, March 5, 2018
