Rita Dorsey

Waterford - Rita M. Dorsey, formerly of 20 Gallup Lane, Waterford, died on Sept. 11, 2006. She was 89.

Her beloved husband, Culver R. Dorsey, whom she married March 18, 1942, predeceased her on March 7, 1994.

Mrs. Dorsey was born March 26, 1917 in Great Barrington, Mass., the daughter of the late Harmidas and Julia Higgins Gauthier.

She was a communicant of St. Peters Church in Great Barrington. She graduated from Searles High School, Great Barrington, in 1935 where she was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. In 1932, she was the only freshman to receive a Varsity Letter. She graduated from the Springfield Academy of Beauty Culture in 1937 in Springfield, Mass., and practiced her trade for many years in New York City and Connecticut. She was employed by Genung's Department Store from 1966 to 1976 when she retired.

Mrs. Dorsey is survived by her daughter, Ellen J. Cotter and her husband, James, of Norwich; her son, Wayne C. Dorsey and his wife, Viola, of Salem; her grandsons, Sean M. Cotter, of Platts burgh, N.Y., Todd L. Dorsey and his wife, Merelyn, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Scott R. Dorsey and his wife, Susan, of Franklin; and her two great-grandchildren, Meagan and Brendan Dorsey, of Franklin.

In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by her two brothers, Raymond and Charles Gauthier and her great-grandson, Ryan A. Dorsey.

Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London is in charge of arrangements. There will be no calling hours and interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery will be private.