NORWICH – Dorothy R. Elia, 93, formerly of Norwich and most recently of Rochester, passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, in the St. John’s Nursing Home in Rochester.
The daughter of John and Elizabeth (St. Angelo) Ranallo, Dorothy was born and raised in Cumberland, Wisc., where she attended the local schools. She pursued a career in teaching, earning her bachelor’s degree in education from LaCrosse State College in LaCrosse, Wisc. While there, she met Samuel Elia, and the two were married on Oct. 15, 1940. Dorothy and Sam moved to Norwich in 1942 and in the mid 1940s, Dorothy went to work for the Norwich School System as a substitute teacher. She worked her way up to a full teaching position and taught English, though she would best be remembered as the librarian in the Norwich High School. Dorothy was extremely supportive of her family, taking an interest in their activities and sharing them when possible. She was a member of long standing at St. Bartholomew’s Church, where she was very active with the church’s programs. A volunteer for Chenango Memorial Hospital, Dorothy also worked at the Pink Door.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters: Kathleen Majewski of East Rochester and Nancy Benton and her husband Steve of Rochester; her grandchildren and their spouses: Jennifer Bacci of East Rochester, Andrea and Larry Erskine of Rochester, Jason and Stephanie Majewski of Albany, Matthew Benton and fiancee Jennifer Wood of Rochester and Melissa and Dennis O’Brien of Rochester. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Sarah and Sam Bacci, Jake and Ian Erskine, Jackson and Grace Majewski and by nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Sam on Aug. 30, 1997 and by her sister Elizabeth Harkness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Dorothy at 10 a.m. on Friday from St. Bartholomew’s Church. The Rev. Lester Smith, pastor of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, will officiate. Interment will be held in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. At 4:15 p.m., Mary Ann Bodiot will lead family and friends in the recitation of the rosary.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Pulmonary Hypertension Assoc., 801 Roeder Road, Suite 400, Silver Springs, MD 20910.