Dolores Arlene Oliva Caturano, 92, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026 in Wallingford, CT. She was born on September 28, 1933 in New Haven, CT to Anna Canelli Oliva and Nazzareno John Oliva.

Dolores was the valedictorian of her West Haven High School Class of 1951 and attended Albertus Magnus College. She married James Anthony Caturano on October 10, 1953, and together they raised their family in Milford and Wallingford, Connecticut and Cohasset, Massachusetts before settling in Durham, Connecticut.

Dolores was an active member of the Notre Dame Church community. The Catholic ministries offered her many opportunities to serve, and she engaged in them fully, especially Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen and the Haitian mission outreach programs. Dolores volunteered at Haiti’s Back Porch Artisan Shop for many years and visited the mission program in Haiti. She coordinated many community suppers with the other town churches. Dolores returned to her passion to work in the medical field in the 1970’s, employed at Middlesex Memorial Hospital Hematology Lab until she retired to volunteer in the Discharge Unit of MMH until 2015. She enjoyed living in Killingworth, Connecticut for 11 years before moving to One MacDonough Place and then Masonicare for the last 5 years.

When she wasn’t enjoying time with her family and friends, Dolores was often creating something special: spending hours at her sewing machine, knitting, upholstering, gardening, cooking and baking. Dolores was an avid reader and a frequent patron of opera at The Bushnell and musical theater at The Goodspeed. She enjoyed travel with her family and friends to Europe, Australia, Alaska and Colombia. Her generosity of spirit was as welcome as her go-to comfort food of rice pudding brought to anyone in need of cheer. Dolores will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, James A. Caturano, Sr. and her son, Peter G. Caturano.

Dolores is survived by her sisters, Anita Oliva and Norma Grossi, her son James Caturano, Jr. and wife Judy, her daughter Suzanne Walker and husband Neil, her daughter Jeanne Vicchitto and husband Paul and her daughter-in-law Kelly Caturano. Dolores was blessed with many grandchildren: James Caturano III, Josh Caturano, Jill Thompson, Jaclyn Lehet, Katy Vicchitto, Michael Vicchitto, Matthew Walker, Rachel Skovdal, Angela Dow, Marilyn Anziano, Pearl Mitchell and Katelyn Hammond. Her many great grandchildren brought her so much joy: Cooper, Cortland, Owen, Lila, Quinn, Rose, David, Summer, Logan, Walker, Anthony, Alia, Giovanna, Eve, Joe, Kaprice, Remo, Hazel and Aiden. Dolores is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

Dolores’ family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care she received at Masonicare, especially from the Nursing, Home Health and Hospice Care Teams.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dolores to the American Red Cross and to Saint Vincent DePaul of Middletown.

Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday (June 24th) at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mercy, Main St., Durham at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday (June 25th). Burial will be at Mica Hill Cemetery, Durham. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.