Dorothea Greeney

1932 - 2021

Dorothea Greeney
Dorothea (Crowell) Greeney, 88, passed away peacefully with dignity and grace on May 30, 2021, a Sunday, her favorite day of the week.
Dorothea was predeceased by her husband Walter "Da" Greeney, parents Eleanor and William Crowell, stepfather James Harris, sisters Eleanor Lieber and Charlotte Laughlin, brother Robert Crowell, and son-in-law Douglas Campbell.
She is survived by her children Deborah Kutz (Gary), Walter, Michael and Robert Greeney, Diane Campbell, Mary Dolan (Jeffrey) and Carol Schenkel (Robert); her grandchildren Mark Kutz (Ashley), Erin Glabets (Mikhail), Lauren Reinhart (Russell), Christopher Greeney, Beth Dolan (fiancé David Jones), Thomas Dolan (Kylie), Stephen Dolan and Cali Schenkel; and great-grandchildren Theo Kutz, Hunter and Ramona Glabets and Molly Dolan. Dorothea is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Dorothea, affectionately known as Dottie, was born on December 23, 1932, in Burlingame, CA. Her father passed away when she was five years old, prompting her family to move back to the east coast. Dorothea graduated from Flushing High School one semester early as one of the top students in the Class of 1950, and 18 months later she married her beloved "Da" and moved to Stamford, CT, where she lived the rest of her life.
Dorothea worked most of her life while raising her large family and continued to work until her 85th birthday. With a stunning intellect and an impeccable memory, she was diligent about watching Jeopardy and amazed her husband and children by how often she correctly answered before the TV contestants. Dorothea was passionate about her gardening and enjoyed summer vacations on Long Beach Island when her children were young and later annual Cape Cod vacations with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Dottie and Da's home was always warm and welcoming for all generations of family and friends on holidays or any given day. She especially loved Sunday dinner gatherings with her family and her fried chicken recipe was a crowd favorite.
Dorothea was thankful and felt so blessed to have lived a long and healthy life. She was grateful to be able to see her grandchildren become adults and some even parents themselves. Most recently, Dorothea found great joy in spending time with her four great-grandchildren, whether holding them as infants or watching them as precocious toddlers.
Dorothea was her family's pillar of strength, loving her children and grandchildren unconditionally with patience and compassion always. That love and adoration was reciprocal, and the positive impact she had on all was immeasurable. Her wisdom and special ability to have one-on-one conversations where she would listen attentively, always responding with the perfect thing to say, was her true gift.
Her grandchildren in particular have cherished memories of helping their Nana color Easter eggs or set up her Christmas Village during the holidays. She was happy to have her granddaughters shop "Dottie's Boutique" for jewelry before a big event, and she always answered yes to any grandchild when asked if she would join them in the chilly waters of Cape Cod.
Flowers, gardens and newspapers are just a few things which will always remind Dorothea's loved ones of her. Her children and grandchildren know that Dorothea's ability to cultivate something that flourishes, whether it be a garden or a family will be with them always.
The family would like to thank the Stamford Health Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center team for their great care and treatment, Constellation Health Services and the Fairfield County Hospice House for the care, compassion and comfort they provided to Dorothea during those final days in which she was transitioning from this life.
Dorothea's family will receive friends on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St., Stamford. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at St. Bridget of Ireland Church at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Darien, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
St. Bridget of Ireland Church, 278 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902,
Stamford Health Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, 34 Shelburne Rd., Stamford, CT 06902.
www.leopgallagherstamford.com to leave an online condolence