Dorothy L. Dorothy Bessette Gazzola

Dorothy Lorraine Bessette Gazzola of Madison, CT, formerly of Montvale, NJ, died peacefully on July 5, 2010 at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. She was 89 years old and died of complications from COPD. Dorothy was born on November 8, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, to the late William Bessette and Virginia Germaine Bessette. The family moved to Detroit where her father worked as a newspaper linotype operator and writer. He was later hired by the New York Daily News and moved his family to New York City where her mother became an organist for the silent movies. Dorothy graduated from Mt. Saint Ursula Academy in the Bronx and attended Lady Cliff College in Highland Falls, NY. Later in life, she completed her degree, earning her BA in Psychology at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York in 1975. Dorothy married Albert L. Gazzola on July 5, 1947 in the Bronx. They had three children, Albert Stephen, Nancy Lynn, and Marianne. She and her husband raised their family in Montvale, NJ where they lived for over 50 years. They were founding members of Camp Jawonio, a camp for children with physical disabilities in New City, NY. She was an active member of the Garden Club, Montvale Swim Club, the PTA, Junior Women’s Club, and the Democratic Party among others. She chaired many committees and held office in all of the fore- mentioned organizations. Dorothy was also an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Park Ridge, NJ where she served on the Parish Council. She worked as the Attendance Officer at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, NJ, for over thirty years until her retirement in 1996. Dorothy was a museum lover, played the piano, dabbled in painting and sculpture, and was accomplished at knitting and crocheting. She was also an avid gardener; she took great delight every spring when her azaleas exploded into a vibrant display of colors all around her yard on Main St. in Montvale, NJ. Mr. and Mrs. Gazzola moved to The Hearth at Tuxis Pond in Madison, CT in 2004 to be closer to their daughter Nancy Girald. They loved their family and friends and delighted in visiting them near and far. Dorothy is pre-deceased by her husband Albert Gazzola and her son Albert Stephen Gazzola . She is survived by her daughters Nancy Girald and her husband John of Madison; Marianne Gazzola Angelella of Baltimore, MD; son-in-law, Michael Angelella of Baltimore, MD; her grandchildren John-Michael Girald and his wife Kristin of Rye, New Hampshire; Jesse Girald and his wife Megan of Stamford, CT; Dominic Angelella, Hallie Angelella; great granddaughter Ally Marie Girald; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was a great admirer of her grand uncle, Brother André Bessette of the Order of Saint Joseph. She visited him as a child in Montreal. Brother André will be canonized in Rome in October of this year. Family and friends may visit the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd. Madison Saturday July 10, from 1pm to 2pm with a service at 2pm. Everyone is invited to return to the Girald house for refreshments after the ceremony. Burial will be at Mary Rest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send a donation in Dorothy’s memory to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.