Dorothy "Dotti" Service

It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy “Dotti” Martini Service announce her passing on June 25, 2022 at The Suffield House, in Suffield, CT. Dotti was born to Joseph and Mary Martini on January 8, 1925 to in Nanticoke, PA. Her family later moved to CT and Dotti grew up in Willimantic, graduating in 1942 from Windham High School where she’d also met her future husband, “Brig” Service.  In 1946 Dotti earned her BA degree in Early Childhood Education from Willimantic State Teacher’s College, and later her masters at Eastern Connecticut State University. 

Dotti and Brig married on June 28, 1947 and began married life in New Bedford, MA where Brig completed his studies of Textile Engineering.  Their early life together brought them initially to PA with a return to CT in 1949. In Willimantic, Dotti was active in St. Joseph’s Women’s Club, the Immaculata Retreat House, the 50/50 Club, Women’s Auxiliary at Windham Community Memorial Hospital and Windham Symphony Orchestra Fundraisers.  After raising their family, Brig and Dotti retired to New Smyrna Beach, FL where Dotti continued to be involved in her church and community.  She served on the Council of Catholic Women, the Board of Education for Sacred Heart School, President of the Board of the Child Care and Development Center, committee member for the restoration of St. Rita Church and Bereavement Committee member at Sacred Heart Church. Dotti also was a New Smyrna Beach Library Advisory Board Member and Friends of the Library member, served as Co-Chair of the S.E. Volusia County Domestic Abuse Awareness Committee and was a charter member of the local American Association of University Women, serving as Historian ’86-87, and Co-Treasurer of the 1987 State Convention.

Dotti and Brig had a long-standing tradition of playing bridge Saturday nights with wonderful friends and Dotti continued her love of bridge with new friends in Florida and Suffield. Dotti touched many lives through her involvement in the communities where she lived and with the philosophy she lived by: “Be ever mindful of the needs of others”. In addition to bridge, Dotti loved reading, music, dancing, and helping others.  Most important, she loved following the accomplishments and dreams of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dotti is survived by her two daughters, Ann (Patrick) Cerreta and Kathy Chowanec; her daughter-in-law, Laura Service; her two sons Bill (Deborah) Service and Matthew (Geraldine) Service. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Brig, Dotti is predeceased by her son, J. Peter Service and son-in-law Calvin Chowanec.

Dotti’s family would like to extend special thanks for the loving care and concern of all the staff of Suffield by the River and The Suffield House as well as the hospice staff who cared for her so wonderfully in her final hours.

A celebration of Dotti’s life will be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to fund a scholarship for students with need who are majoring in Early Childhood Education at ECSU. Donations should reference that the gift is for the Dorothy Service Memorial and may be made online at ecsufoundation.com/annual-fund or via check to ECSU Foundation, c/o Director of Institutional Advancement, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226​. 

Arrangements are under the care of Luddy and Peterson’s, New Britain, CT.

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