Dorothy Samela

Dorothy A. 'Dot (Bateman) Samela, youthful and energetic at 76 years old, will remain young, loved, and alive in our hearts, despite leaving this world to go home on Monday, (August 24, 2009) surrounded by her caring family. Affectionately known as 'Dot', 'Mom', 'Grandma', 'Me-ma', and 'Grandma Dot'. Dorothy was an eternal optimist and remained courageous and calm under pressure, even during her brief but intense battle with leukemia. Her trademark smile and laugh could light up any room, and she was the life of any party, quick to tell a joke or an animated story. Her life was an inspiration that echoed the words of the song 'Smile' (composed by Charlie Chaplin): 'Smile though your heart is aching/ Smile even though it's breaking.' She considered her family the greatest gift and cause for smile in her life: her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, Nicholas 'Nick'; her three cherished daughters and sons-in-law, Nikki and Stephen Foran of South Windsor, Susan and David Preston of Summerville, SC, Angela and Edward Nason of South Windsor; her treasured son, John of East Hartford; her seven precious grandchildren, Daniel Foran and his wife Rebecca of South Windsor, Stephanie Foran and her husband Eric Barrett of Cherry Hill, NJ, Matthew Foran of Tucson, AZ, Marc Larose, Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Summerville, SC, Nicholas Larose of Manchester, and Jordan and Allyson Nason of South Windsor; and her four endeared great-children (plus a fifth on the way), Dylan and Gavin Foran, Kaelynn and Jaydan Larose. She is also survived by two brothers and their wives, whom she was very proud of: John and Sharo Bateman of Vancouver, Canada and Howard and Anna Bateman of Toronto, Canada and her husband's family in Waterbury. Additionally she leaves behind her closest friends of 40 years, Frank and Judi Addabbo and many good friends, nieces and nephews. Canada's finest export, Dorothy was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada to Helen Marion and James Bateman and was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Dorothy was proud of her heritage and never forgot her Canadian roots. Dorothy worked at the Connecticut Bank & Trust (CBT) for 21 years and Fleet Bank as a bank officer, where she developed many long-term friendships and remained a member of the CBT Alumni Club. After she retired, she assisted Fred Stewart Florists during Holiday rushes. Dorothy was also an active member of the East Hartford Women's Club, past president of the East Hartford Garden Club, parishioner of St. Mary's Church and an active volunteer in the community. This social butterfly may have spread her wings into heaven's reach, but Dorothy's precious memory will remain forever grounded in our hearts and engraved in our lives. Funeral services will be on Friday, August 28, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, corner of Main Street/Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Mausoleum, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Thursday, August 27, from 3-8 pm. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday morning). Dorothy and her family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Todd Alekshun and the Oncology and Palliative Care staff at Hartford Hospital for their kindness and unwavering care. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy has requested that donations be sent to the Oncology/Palliative Care, Bliss 5, c/o Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or to the East Hartford Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 380401, East Hartford, CT 06138-0401. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www. desopo.com.