Dorothy "Dottie" (Abbondanza) Mannetti, 88, passed away February 28, 2018, at Pendleton Rehab & Nursing Center in Mystic, Conn.
Born August 14, 1929, in Mount Vernon, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Romeo and Josephine Abbondanza. Dorothy moved to Fishers Island, N.Y., with her family during WWII where her father was the barber at Fort H.G. Wright. After graduating from Fishers Island School in 1947, she moved to NYC and graduated from the Marinello School of Beauty. She worked as a hairdresser until her marriage. After living many years in Port Chester, N.Y., in 1969 the family permanently settled in Ledyard, Conn. She returned to work part-time and seasonally on Fishers Island managing the island’s beauty shop (the Tidal Wave) until her retirement.
Dorothy's sweet and caring disposition touched all who knew her. She loved baking and cooking her Italian specialties for the family, reading a good book at the beach, playing her organ, and enjoyed crafts, puzzles and games. Her blue eyes especially sparkled as she talked about her children/grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Mario Mannetti; her four children, Diane Steverman (Brian), Philip Mannetti, James Mannetti, and Laura Chapman (Michael); eight grandchildren, Emily Scharsu; Amanda Selvidio; Samuel, Joseph, Maxwell, and Amelia Mannetti; and Christopher and Spencer Chapman; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Benjamin Scharsu. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Sue Aquila, and daughter-in-law, Laura (Tesoriero) Mannetti.
There will be no calling hours at her request; a memorial service will take place on Fishers Island at a later date. Donations in her name may be made to Disabled American Veterans.
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