Dorothy Selvidio

Mystic, CT., Dorothy Amedeo Selvidio, 91, of Mystic, Ct., and formerly of Norwich, CT. and Melbourne Beach, FL., peacefully passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022, with her family by her side.

Dorothy was born on August 4, 1931, in Norwich, Connecticut to Onofrio and Mary Amedeo.

Dorothy leaves behind three children, Robert Jr. and his wife Gayle, of Peabody, Massachusetts; Sue Selvidio-Stanley and her husband Joseph, of Norwich, Connecticut and Sarasota, Florida and Scott Selvidio and his wife Jeni, of John’s Island, South Carolina. Dorothy was a grandmother to seven adoring grandchildren who were, without a doubt, the light of her life. Her grandchildren include; Joseph Selvidio of Brooklyn, NY, Jamie Hansen of Danvers, MA, Lauren Pattermann of Grand Rapids, MI, Jocelyn Tedisky of Hebron, CT, Ryan Selvidio of Littleton, MA, Nathan Selvidio of Orlando, FL and Molly Vita of Manchester, NH. Dorothy was a great-grandmother to 7 great- grandchildren with one more on the way. They are Jamie’s daughter; Andy, Lauren’s son Randall and daughter Zoe, Ryan’s daughter Siena and son Luca, Molly’s daughter Lainey, Jocelyn’s daughter Sloane, in addition to a sweet baby girl on the way.

Also left behind are Dorothy’s very special nieces, Joan Iacoi Barber, Roberta Iacoi Mclaughlin, Jane DiGangi and Donna DiGangi Buchine, Nancy Jo Iacoi, and Maria Iacoi along with countless other family members and friends.

On September 17, 1951, Dorothy was married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Robert S. Selvidio, Sr. who predeceased her in 1985. Dorothy loved the Lord and found peace, direction, and comfort in Jesus Christ her Savior. After graduating from Norwich Free Academy in 1949, Dorothy continued her education at the Backus Hospital School of Nursing. She became a registered nurse and spent many years in a successful career at both Backus and the Norwich State Hospital. Over the years she also spent time providing private nursing duties and also provided encouragement and direction to future nurses while teaching at the Norwich Free Academy. She enjoyed many years assisting Dr. Lichtenstein, an oral surgeon in Norwich. She was well respected for her knowledge, experience, and practicality.

Dorothy was a woman of many talents and interests. She had music in her soul and enjoyed classical music playing in the background in her home. She owned a baby grand piano and was an accomplished pianist. Dorothy was very active and enjoyed social events with family and friends. She loved beaching, home decorating, tennis (avid fan), swimming, knitting, sewing, culinary arts, and anything Italian – either cooking or traveling. She made several trips to Italy, where she appreciated her family’s heritage and home of her father Onofrio’s origin (Terlizzi, Bari). She made the best cheesecake, cheese blintzes, and lasagna and she was the only family member who knew how to make stuffed calamari which she made for the annual family “feast of the seven fishes” at Christmas – extraordinarily delicious!

Dorothy totally embraced learning new technology when the computer era came into existence in the early 90s. She attended classes, read extensive manuals, leaned on her techie grandchildren, and basically taught herself (and other senior citizens) how to import photos and video clips and edit them using an iMac. She had a gift for capturing memorable moments and piecing them together with inspiring music to produce a library of movies that the entire family will appreciate and enjoy for generations to come. Videos and photos, as well as other memories can be viewed at everloved.com/life-of/dorothy-selvidio

Mostly she loved the beach. She spent many warm winters on Melbourne Beach, Florida with family and friends. She was able to recently travel with her son Scott (and Jeni) to their winter home on Melbourne Beach, Florida where Dorothy’s nieces Joan (Charlie) and Roberta (Robert) also winter.

Dorothy will be missed dearly and she will be held in the hearts of all who knew her as a woman of beauty, determination, grace, and strength. We are sure her smile is lighting up the heavens and she will always remain in our hearts.

A Funeral Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Weekapaug Chapel, 105 Noyes Neck Road, Westerly, Rhode Island (At Spray Rock on the Atlantic Ocean). Following the service, a Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held in Westerly.

Dorothy's life and legacy will be forever celebrated by her family and friends.