Doris Higgins DeCesare

Doris Higgins DeCesare, age 93, a resident of Brookfield, since 1953, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2010 at Danbury Hospital. She was the wife of the late Victor A. DeCesare. Mrs. DeCesare was born July 12, 1917 in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of the late Edward and Ethel Higgins. She was a graduate of Pratt Institute and was employed by the Borden Company in New York City for 15 years where she designed many advertising pieces in which Elsie the Cow was featured. She became affiliated with the Benanti Advertising Agency in Danbury shortly after moving to Brookfield. Mrs. DeCesare was a charter member of the Garden Club of Brookfield and served in many capacities, especially in the staging of many flower shows. She served on the Brookfield Commission on Aging for ten years and was chairman for four years. A member of St. Joseph's Church, she participated in many activities and programs in the parish. Her husband of 51 years, Commander Victor A. DeCesare, USN, passed away in 1998. He is interned at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia where Mrs. DeCesare will be interned with her husband. Mrs. DeCesare is survived by a son Richard DeCesare of Brookfield; two daughters, Gloria J. Gross of Hackettstown, New Jersey and Donna M. Eaton of New Salem, MA.; a brother Edward Higgins of Williamsport, PA; three grandsons, Justin, Matthew and Brendan Gross; two granddaughters, Lucy and Madelyn Eaton; and five nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 10 A.M. at St Joseph's Church, Brookfield. Burial will in the National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Friends may call on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford. Contributions may be made in her memory to Dorothy Day Hospitality House, 11 Spring Street, P. O. Box 922, Danbury, CT. 06813.