Dorothy Blackburn Umsteadt
Dorothy Blackburn Umsteadt, 88, of Milford, formerly of West Haven and Killingworth, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014. She was the wife of the late Leonard J. Umsteadt, mother of Laura Sorbo, Wendy (Christopher) Valente, both of West Haven, and John (Geri) Umsteadt of Ocean City, MD, grandmother of Christian and Courtney Umsteadt, Dawn and Jessica Sorbo, Jill (Nicholas) Mitchell, Christine, Gina and Elizabeth Valente, great-grandmother of Nicholas, Brianna and Madison. She was predeceased by a great granddaughter, Brittany Umsteadt, her brothers, Douglas and Louis Blackburn and a sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Moffet. Dorothy was born in Westerly, RI, Sept. 26, 1925 a daughter of the late Louis Blackburn, Sr. and Gladys Barlow Blackburn. She was an LPN in the pediatric ward at Yale New Haven Hospital before retirement and was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church of West Haven. After her retirement, she spent much of her time volunteering and traveling with her grandchildren. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Milford Healthcare. Friends may call Tuesday, May 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Ave., West Haven. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., So. CT Chapter, 2911 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.
Grandma.. You were an amazing person… So strong (and stubborn haha)..I have so many amazing memories.. How many kids spend every weekend with their grandmother into their teens? But you were so good with us kids.. I’ll always remember the time when we went skiing and at the bottom of the hill I fell. You helped me up and then you fell.. This went back and forth a few times. We must’ve looked like the three stooges.. You took me on my first plane ride, to Disney World. I still remember cracking open that piggy bank.. Another memory is of you always feeding my dog with your fork! I’m so glad we had the chance to live together in those years. I will miss you so much, but I know you were way too strong of a person to be happy living like that and I have to be unselfish and be happy to are released from your disease. I imagine you with the butterflies in your former glory with Brit walking around, and Grandma B tinting her hair different shades.. I love you so much, you were always like a second mother to me.. Love, Dawn
Happy Mother’s Day , Mom .Today we will celebrate your beautiful and amazing life at your favorite place , Lenny and Joe’s . We’ll remember the t-shirts , salt water taffy , carousel , ice cream cones, and your blue crab special . A big part of my life is missing , but an even bigger part of your caring legacy will live on through us and our families and the lives you’ve touched over the years ! I love you so much . Will look for a butterfly !
I had the honor of working with Dot on the adolescent floor at YNHH. She was an amazing and caring nurse! She loved her patients and they loved her! She was definitely an asset to Yale!!! I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was an inspiration for me to become a nurse! She will be greatly missed.
My deepest sympathies go to Aunt Dot’s family. Dot was a sweet lady and I have very fond memories of her and time spent with her. Peace and serenity to all of you. Karen Moffet Giansiracusa, Niece, Portland, Maine
To my second family, Laurie, Dawn, Jill, Jess and Wendy, My heart aches for the loss of my .Mom #2., but it aches more knowing how much all of you are hurting. I am here for all of you, to help you get through this, and I know you’re there for me too.
WAS my dog Oggie, until she started feeding him from her fork, lol