WAREHAM, Mass. – Dorothy (“Dottie”) Thompson Centrella, 91, of Wareham, passed away peacefully on Feb. 18, 2024. Dottie was the loving wife of the late George C. Centrella for 68 years.
After a courageous battle with dementia, she decided it was her time to move on from that unkind disease and be restored in Heaven alongside her husband and those who went before her. All who knew Dottie loved her. She had an infectious smile, a sweet demeanor and a ton of patience.
After marrying George, Dottie moved from her family homestead, in New Hartford, to Winsted, Conn., where they started a family. She devoted the first half of her marriage to raising her six beautiful children.
Needless to say, there was no lack of activity in the Centrella world. That included many Gilbert football games and those Sunday spaghetti dinners Dottie was famous for. She never knew who would show up, so there was always a large enough pot of her wonderful Italian sauce and pasta!
As she and George became empty nesters, she looked forward to every party and gathering that would bring the gang together, especially the grandchildren. After moving from Winsted to Florida, the family had a nice warm destination to gather and subsequently the get-togethers would take place at their home in Wareham, at the door to Cape Cod.
Their large family, as well as a shared love of good food, dogs, football, fishing and boating gave her and her husband George a very full life. Although she lived a long, rich life, she will be missed immensely and her memory will live on in our hearts forever.
Dottie leaves behind daughters, Gail (Mike) Henderson of Southampton, Mass., Anna (Tony) Leno of Enfield, Conn., Dorothy (John) Cabana of Easthampton, Mass., Dianne Centrella of New Bern, N.C.; and sons, George C. (Kathy) Centrella Jr. of Wolcott, Conn., and Guilio Centrella of Torrington, Conn.
She also leaves behind nine very special grandchildren, Erica (Steve) Huot, Shelley (Dustin) Drummey, Anthony Leno, Janna Centrella, Elliott (Mike) Henderson-Perry, Nina Henderson, Emery Henderson, Ashley (Zach) Morgan, Shannon (Ryan) Sullivan; as well as her beloved sister, Jane Vondell; and many other loving nieces, nephews and friends.
She will be welcomed with open arms by those who predeceased her, her grandson, Cameron Mezza, whom she loved dearly; and her loving siblings, Eleanor Atwood, Caroline Maxwell, and Harriet Thompson.
Condolences may be sent to the Centrella family by visiting chapmanfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (alz.org).
