Dorothy G. Mechaley

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Stephen Goetz and Bertha (Miller) Goetz. Though she was an only child, she grew up close to her many aunts, uncles and cousins and had many friends. A 1947 graduate of Stamford High School, she lived most of her life in Stamford. After graduation she worked for Conde Nast Publications. She also worked for many years at The Fidelity Trust Company, which later became Shawmut.

She married Russell E. Mechaley, Jr. in 1957, and they raised four children in Stamford. She was a member of the Stamford Twin Mother’s Club, The Springdale Garden Club, The Women’s Auxiliary of the Springdale Fire Company. She also volunteered with the Silhouettes Drum and Bugle Corp., where her daughters were members and was a Cub Scout Den Mother for her sons.

After their children were grown, she and Russell moved to Madison, CT. She worked for Connecticut National Bank and when she retired, she volunteered at local church charities and spent time playing cards and other activities with friends at the Senior Center. During this time, they travelled around the country in their RV, with a particularly memorable trip driving across the United States to visit the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and many other historic sites. They also made yearly Winter vacations to Sarasota, FL. She lived in Madison until at age 87 when she moved to Charleston, SC, to be closer to her daughter.

She enjoyed sewing and quilting and she continued this into her 90’s, creating gifts and repairing clothes for her friends in her Senior Living Community in Charleston. She was strong willed, independent and expressed her opinions freely, whether you agreed or not. She was sharp as a tack until the very end. She died peacefully with her family beside her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Russell E. Mechaley, Jr. and is survived by her children, Keith Mechaley (Susan), Kurt Mechaley (Diane), Suellen Mechaley Castros (Frank), and Kelly Mechaley Lallo. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christian Castros, Morgan Castros Vitti (Zachary), Bennett Lallo, Matthew Lallo, Zachary Lallo, Kathryn Mechaley, and her great-granddaughter Stella Vitti.

A celebration of her life will be on April 12, 2025, at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford, CT.