Dorothea Warner

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dorothea Warner. She died peacefully at the age of 95, surrounded by loving family members. She brought light into our lives and will forever be in our hearts. She was predeceased in 2013 by her beloved husband, Benjamin Warner, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage.

Born Marcella Dorothea Brighenti on January 8, 1931 in Avon, the third daughter and sixth of eight children in the family raised by her dear late parents, Dorothea Lamont McHaffie and Marcello Brighenti. Dot (as she preferred) graduated from Hartford Trade School as a professional seamstress, owning her own business in New Hartford for many years. Her talents were often called upon to make Easter outfits and dance recital costumes, as well as alter suits, dresses and gowns for all special occasions.

She met her future husband, Ben, at a square dance in the Riverton Fire House. They were married during an April snowstorm in 1955. Settling on the Warner Brothers Farm on Prospect Street in New Hartford, Ben and Dot raised their own family, welcoming their three children: Lisa, Linda, and James. Dot also helped her husband's Push Hard Lumber Company, manufacturing wooden pallets.

In 1978, Ben and Dot moved their family to their newly built log house. There, Dot enjoyed watching the diverse wildlife wander through their yard, especially the bears. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the hummingbirds buzz by her front porch. Extremely creative, she could tackle any craft. Dot learned chair caning, restoring many chairs and tools and was a talented embroiderer. She held a passion for dolls, eventually acquiring an extensive collection which she treasured. She also loved to swim in the pool Ben bought as a gift for her. She enjoyed her trips to Pennsylvania with Ben and visiting the Amish farms. She also grew to become an extremely enthusiastic fan of UCONN Women's basketball (and whether he knows it or not, Geno will miss her cheers!). The Christmas holidays were always special to her and she enjoyed decorating and preparing the festivities for her family. And she was always ready for a tea party. "Put the kettle on."

Family always came first to Dot. A beautiful woman inside and out and excellent listener, she always put the needs of others before her own. She loved children and was the preferred babysitter to her grandchildren. Her love of children extended to her day job, as she served as an assistant pre-school teacher at St. Paul's Community Nursery School for 25 years. A longtime communicant of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in New Hartford, she volunteered for the Ladies Aid Christmas Fairs, Wednesday night Lent dinners and teaching Vacation Bible School.

She was a devoted wife to her husband Benjamin A. Warner, loving mother to Lisa Warner-Quimby, Linda Gordon (William), James W. Warner (Maura), adoring grandmother to Sterling, Benjamin, and William, and wonderful great grandmother. Aunt Dottie leaves behind many adored nieces and nephews and always enjoyed hearing about their life adventures.

She is survived by her brother Marcello Brighenti and predeceased by her four dear brothers, Robert, John, Percy (Pat) and Julio Brighenti, two loving sisters, Mary Barber, and Ruth Bentley.

Burial will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in the spring. There will be no calling hours. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 5 Steele Road, New Hartford has care of the arrangements. Visit an online guestbook at montano-shea.com.