Dorothy Nowicki Fandacone

Dorothy Nowicki Fandacone, 48, of Berlin, died unexpectedly on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of Helen and the late Walter Nowicki. She grew up in Newington, graduating from Newington High School in 1987 and going on to work at the State of Connecticut Department of Labor for 30 years. Dorothy’s eternal optimism and energy never failed to lift the spirits of everyone around her. Known to her family and friends as a powerful force of nature, she overflowed with a joy and love for life. Her unmistakable laughter, fun-loving attitude, unfailing selflessness, and lively sense of humor defined her. Even the bright colors she loved to wear reflected her vibrant personality and positivity to anyone who crossed her path. Dorothy appreciated nature’s everyday instances of beauty and loved fishing, camping, going to the beach, and spending time at her sister’s rural cabin. Giving her free time to her extensive network of family and friends was part of who she was, whether she was inviting her many loved ones over for get-togethers, making pierogi during the holidays with family members, sharing jokes and stories with her cousins and friends, fishing with her uncles, or serving as a community leader in organizing volunteer and fundraising efforts for such causes as the Alzheimer’s Association, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, and animal rescue. She lived every moment to the fullest. A fiercely devoted daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and cousin, she leaves her mother, Helen Nowicki of Newington; her mother-in-law, Gale Fandacone of Newington; two sisters, Margaret Poinelli and her husband, Ric, of South Windsor, and Katherine Gagnon and her husband, Raymond, of Berlin; two nieces, Sarah and Missy Poinelli; her nephew Justin Fandacone of Newington; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and her beloved dog, Gus. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael Fandacone; her father, Walter Nowicki; and her father-in-law, Nicholas Fandacone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church) 602 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial will immediately follow at West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. Calling hours will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Dorothy’s name be made to the Protectors of Animals, 144 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 or Disabled American Vets, c/o VA-CT Healthcare, 555 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT 06111. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.

Live well, laugh often, love much, just as Dorothy has.