Dorothy Harger Vining known as Dotty by her friends and family passed away on January 26, 2014, Dotty was born in Detroit; Michigan on January 19, 1925 was the youngest daughter of Emmett DeVere Vining and Mildred Ann Harger. She graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in journalism, which started her career in literature and ultimately to a master's degree from C.W. Post University in library science. Dotty lived on Long Island and worked in Northport Public Library, Harborfields Junior High School and retired from Farmingdale Senior High School in 1988. Her dedication and humor inspired her students to love reading and the library. She moved to Heritage Village in Southbury Connecticut and her love of books and history continued her longtime passion of genealogy and writing her family history. In addition to genealogy, Dorothy loved music and played the recorder with a group known as Con Brio at many churches and private functions. She loved to travel to Europe and as often as possible to the beautiful Florida Keys to visit her sister and family. Dotty had a lifelong dedication to human rights and civil liberty that included attending the March on Washington in 1963. Dotty will be remembered by her family and friends for her compassion, humor and love of life. Dorothy is survived by her daughter Ann Fiteni and son in law Joseph of Wilton Ct; her sister Sarah E. Whalton of Big Pine Key, FL; Grandsons; Joseph Peter Fiteni of Hoboken, N.J. and Andrew Paul Fiteni of Wilton, CT.; nephews John Whalton and wife Katherine of Marathon, FL, Michael Whalton and wife Susan of West Virginia; Joseph Whalton and his wife Gaye of Georgia; Arthur Elliott of Idaho, David Elliott of Traverse City, Michigan; Thomas Elliott of Traverse City, Michigan; and Sherry H. Elliott also of Idaho. Step-children; Douglas L. Partridge, Priscilla L. Partridge, Wendy L. Crowe and Laura Arnaudo all of Northern California. She is predeceased by her son Peter Vining Richardson and her sister Elizabeth Ann Elliott. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held at the Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport, CT at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 1, 2014. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association CT chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Hwy, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 and or the Farmington Historical Society of Farmington, P.O. Box 551, Farmington, Michigan 48332-0551. Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com for more information.
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