Dorothy Pizzuti

PIZZUTI, Dorothy….

Dorothy Ann Pizzuti (née Komar) passed away on July 26, 2022, at approximately 11:00 p.m. after a long battle with Alzheimer’s  disease and dementia. She was under the excellent care of Lynda Monik’s second floor team at the St. Mary’s wing of Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care in London. She slipped quietly into the night with her son Michael by her side.

Dorothy was born on April 6, 1932, in Windsor, Ontario, to parents Isadore and Helen Komar. She attended De La Salle Elementary School and W.D. Lowe Vocational School, where she studied bookkeeping.

Dorothy began a long career in bookkeeping and accounts receivable at the elegant Prince Edward Hotel in downtown Windsor. While working there, she caught the eye of a passing photographer who took her picture and named her one of Windsor’s “Ten Best Dressed Women” in a 1955 Windsor Star feature. After the hotel closed, she moved on to Viking Pump for two years, and eventually Sears Canada in Windsor and London, where she remained for the rest of her career.

During her single years, Dorothy was a trophy-winning bowler who enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling, with trips to Bermuda, Mexico, and New York City being some of her favourite memories. She would gleefully recount one particular trip to New York City with her sister Bernice, where after spending all their money on clothes, they pooled their remaining coins to buy one sandwich on the train that had to last them all the way back to Detroit. Dorothy also loved to tell the story of a shopping trip to Detroit with her mother to buy new curtains. To avoid paying duty, they wrapped the curtains around their waists, covered up with tightly belted trench coats, and cruised across the border on the tunnel bus!

Dorothy met charismatic, fun-loving, and hardworking Ray Pizzuti in 1963; two years later they were married at Immaculate Conception Church on April 24, 1965. They honeymooned in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, and eventually they settled in South Windsor where they built three beautiful homes.

As a wife and mother, Dorothy was kind, warm, generous, and fun-loving. Recognized by her friends and neighbours as a gracious hostess, she passed on her love of baking and entertaining to her son. Whether it was a classic “Swiss Chocolate Torte,” a scandalous “Better Than Sex Cake,” or a pan of “City Chicken,” there was always something delicious coming out of Dorothy’s kitchen.

Always curious to learn and try new things, Dorothy enrolled in a wide variety of classes and lessons in the 1970s and 1980s: ceramics, cake decorating, scrapbooking, racquetball, and line dancing. Later, she took up knitting and crocheting, creating beautiful blankets, scarves, and sweaters for family and friends.

During her later years, Dorothy was an active member of the Hamilton Road Seniors’ Centre, where she looked forward to the weekly card games and social opportunities.  She enjoyed road trips with her friends, and weekend getaways with her son to Niagara on the Lake, Bayfield, Port Stanley, and Langdon Hall. She lived a full life.

Special recognition goes to the staff at Grand Wood Park Retirement Home, where Dorothy lived from October 2019 until March 2022, and Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, where Dorothy resided from March 2022 until her passing.  She received attentive and compassionate care from a team of doctors, nurses, PSWs, and many, many others. Thank you for making Dorothy’s final years as comfortable as possible.

Dorothy is survived by her devoted son Michael Pizzuti and his partner Daniel Boudreau, who became like a second son to her; her brother Bob Komar (June); and her sisters-in-law, Agnes Komar and Vi Komar.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Isadore and Helen Komar, her brothers Mickey (the late Donna), Richard (Agnes), Roy (Vi), and her sister Bernice Monik (the late Bill). Her cherished husband Ray passed before her in 1991.

Out of respect for Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral services or mass. A small gathering for family and friends will take place at a later date.

Interment will follow at a later date at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Windsor, Ontario.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of London in Dorothy’s name.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com