Oxford
Dorothy Christine (Mendala) Richert, 72, of Old Webster Road, passed away on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at UMass Memorial Hospital.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Clyde Allen Richert. The couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary just a week before. Dorothy is also survived by two children. Her daughter LindaLeigh Aberdale and son-in-law Andrew Aberdale reside in Acton. Her son Randi Richert and daughter-in-law Tina Eastwood Richert live in Dudley. Dorothy was especially proud of her three grandchildren: Andrew A. Aberdale, II; Virginia Rose Richert; and Leland Allen Richert.
Born on March 14, 1939 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Francis Mendala, Sr. (1914-1976) and the late Mary Kulis Mendala (1916-2000).
Dorothy graduated as valedictorian of her North Brookfield High School class in 1957. She had worked as a Secretary for Wrights, as a Dandy Rover and Spinner at Stevens Linen and Anglo Fabrics, and as a Harness Maker for Columbia Technology. Dorothy retired in 2001.
Dorothy is survived by 4 maternal aunts: Adele Bachand, Ginny Hinrichs, and Jo Kulis all of Southbridge; and Wanda Donahue of Dudley. Her maternal aunt and Godmother Helen Desrosiers passed away in 2006. Her maternal uncle Marian Kulis passed in 1990. Dorothy was predeceased by her 3 paternal aunts Helen Terry, Mary Shablin, Anna Hayes, and her paternal uncle Theodore Mendala.
Dorothy had 7 siblings. Her brother Francis Mendala, Jr., and his wife Jeanne reside in North Brookfield. Her sister Margaret Mitchell lives in North Brookfield. Dorothy's sister Mary Ann Heyes passed away in 2005; Mary Ann's husband Alfred Heyes lives in Barre. Dorothy always missed her little brother Richard Mendala (1943-1959). Her brother William Mendala, and his wife Terry reside in North Brookfield. Dorothy's brother Peter Mendala passed on in 2001. Her youngest brother Edwin Mendala and Ed's wife June live in Brimfield.
Dorothy's in-laws were the late Joseph John Richert (1898-1987) and the late Mary Johnson Richert (1901-1991). Dorothy's brother-in-law Marvin Richert passed in 1994; Marvin's wife Betty resides in Dudley. Dorothy's brother-in-law Donald Richert lives in Dudley. Her sister-in-law JoAnn Gladding and JoAnn's husband Myles reside in Lamar, South Carolina. Dorothy's brother-in-law Irving Richert and Irving's wife Jean live in Manchester, Connecticut.
Dorothy is survived by 23 nieces and nephews; her niece Colleen Richert was taken in childhood (1961-1974).
Dorothy also suffered the loss of her dear friends Helen Koslowski in 2000, and Mary Faneuf and Dot Rodman, both in 2005. She leaves behind many close, long-time friends whom she considered family, including the Aberdales of Housatonic; the Baillargeons of Charlton; the Eastwoods of Salem, New Hampshire; the Martins of Worcester; the Moussas of Oxford; the Pelletiers of Banning, California; the Sequins of Spencer; and the Sgariglias of Oxford. Friends Diane Balinski, Laura Bass, Rhoda Berube, Laurie Burt, Sue Faneuf, Joanne Fish, Terry Green, Brenda Lund, Nancy Noonan, Lisa Sheppard, and Dottie Vaughn were also very dear to Dorothy.
A Remembrance Party for Dorothy will be held at The Lodge Restaurant in Webster on Sunday, June 5, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to "Dorothy Richert Fund; Aberdale Foundation", 5 Stacy's Way, Acton, MA 01720 (www.aberdalefoundation.org). As a 501c3 non-profit organization, The Aberdale Foundation has established Dorothy's Fund, which will be entirely dedicated to caring for the sick.
The Robert J. Miller Funeral Home and Lake Chapel, 366 School St., Webster is assisting Dot’s family with arrangements.
On Line Guest Book: RJMillerfunerals.net