Dorothy M. DeFazio, 93

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ASHLAND – Dorothy M. DeFazio, 93, of Bourne, former longtime resident of Ashland passed away July 26, 2021. 

Born in Easthampton, she was the daughter of the late Lewis and Marion (Palmer) Dunton and wife of the late Dante S. DeFazio for 64 years. 

She worked as a secretary for Brightwater Paper Co. after high school and later in life went back to work as a secretary for the 4-H Center in Ashland and later as the office manager and event planner for M.I.A.A. 

Dee grew up in North Adams, and was raised by her father and was close with her aunt Emily (Dunton) Hermon who served as a role model and great supporter.  She enjoyed hiking up Mt. Greylock with her father and brother, biking, going to dances, and hanging out with her step sister Grace who was her best friend.  She enjoyed dancing throughout her life and it was where she met her husband Dante.  Dancing was their favorite activity together; which they were still doing on their 64^th wedding anniversary. 

Dorothy was always a great lover of animals, mostly of the feathered and furry variety.  She even owned a pair of white rats as a child, but mostly owned dogs, birds, and Siamese cats. 

She especially enjoyed reading later in life.  She was skilled at typing and handwriting and was later proud that she could communicate via email and Facebook.  Traveling across the country by car with Dante was one of the highlights of her retirement. 

Dorothy will always be remembered by her friends and family as a loving, soft spoken, gentle woman who kept harmony in the family and enjoyed entertaining at home.

            She is survived by five children; Paul DeFazio and his wife Sandra of Medford; Laura Jackson and her husband Lawrence of Hopkinton; Linda Koelbel of Mashpee; Lisa Eldredge and her husband David of Bourne; and Louise Adair and her husband John of Millis; twelve grandchildren; Stephanie DeFazio, Kristina Mamone and her husband Chris, Mark DeFazio and his fiancé Stacey Kuy, Rebekah Rector and her husband Trent, Alyssa Gamble and her husband Justin, Erik Jackson, Emily Haranas and her husband Peter, Ethan Koelbel and his wife Tatiana, Lea Wigglesworth and her partner Ben Tomasz, Lukas Heras, Lexa Heras, and the late Jason Hawkins, seven great-grandchildren, Sylvan and Autumn Rector, Dante and Estee Gamble, Ella and Nia Haranas, and Olga Tomasz, and several nieces and nephews.  She was the brother of the late Harold “Dave” Dunton.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main Street in Ashland with urn burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland. 

Calling hours will be held Monday Aug. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m in the Matarese Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Baypath Humane Society, 500 Legacy Farms N, Hopkinton, MA 01748. 

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