Dorothy Mae (Ritchey) Kersten

Beacon Falls-Dorothy Mae (Ritchey) Kersten, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully with one of her loving sons, Stanley, at her side at Waterbury Hospital on February 12, 2018.

 She was born May 21, 1930 in Stamford, Connecticut, daughter of the late Harold and Ana Ritchey. She lived in Stamford, CT, Tampa, FL, and Beacon Falls CT. She was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband of 64 years, Edward L. Kersten. Her greatest smiles came when she was talking about, playing with, and watching her sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. No conversation started without an update on all of them.

She was pre-deceased by three brothers; Leroy and Arlene Ritchey of Vista, NY, Frank and Lois Ritchey of Kent, CT, and Rodney and Louise Ritchey of Bangor, ME;  her four sisters, Mildred and Hughie Mills of Bridgeport, CT, Janet and Eddie Baisley of New Milford,CT, Anna and William Novak of Stamford, CT, and Patricia Smith of Tampa FL.

She is survived by her three sons and wives who she loved deeply; Stanley and Kathryn Kersten of Beacon Falls, Henry and Leslie Kersten of Waverly, TN, and Rodney and Ann Kersten of Bolivia, NC.

The biggest smiles lately came from her 7 grandchildren; Michelle and Martin Wojtyniak , Sarah and Alan Sedlak, Brian Kersten, Joanne Kersten, William Kersten, Nancy Ann and Michael Macri, and Andrew and Raquel Daniello. A bolt of lightning would strike if we failed to mention her 6 great grandchildren;   Lucas Wojtyniak, Carter Sedlak, and Anthony, Lincoln, Andrew and Stella Daniello.  She is also survived by her brother in law, Marvin Smith of Tampa, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews from Florida to Maine.

Dorothy was always quietly in the background assisting when needed, especially at the old St. Mary’s School, as anything from lunch mom to PTA president. She was one of the founders of St. Mary’s Church’s Martha’s Guild, and helped start the Thrift Shop in the basement of the church. We all loved her and will miss her and just like the commercial used to say “PRICELESS.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 25 Maple Avenue, Beacon Falls.  Family and friends may visit with the family from 9-10 a.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Suite 900, 2451 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22201.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com  The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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