Dorothy Gladwin Basso Chaffee Balamucki, age 92, the beloved wife of the late Mitchell Balamucki, went home to be with the lord on September 24, 2022. Dottie as she was known by many, was born May 22, 1930, in Middletown, Connecticut. She loved Connecticut and spent most of her life there except for seven years enjoying the warmth of Port St. Lucie, Florida. She returned in 2012 to be closer to her family who meant everything to her.

She is survived by her loving children, Charlene Basso-Wright and her husband Bob of Pawcatuck, Kathie Basso of Old Saybrook, Camille Harrington and her husband John of Niantic, and Patricia Ann Chaffee and her partner James Steele of Groton; daughter-in-law Paula Chaffee of Middletown, and step-son Howard's life-long partner Barbara Palmer of Middletown, step-sons Stanley Balamucki and his wife Mary Ann of Marlborough, and Gerald Balamucki of Washington State; as well as her brother Dennis Gladwin and his partner Judy Kelner of Stuart, Florida. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Brian Chaffee, her granddaughter, Erica Wright, and her stepson Howard Chaffee Jr.

She adored her grandchildren, Kenneth Ordonez and his wife Marie, Heather Wright Fitzgerald and her spouse Johanna Fitzgerald, Joshua Gootkin and his partner Liz DeSorbo, Adam Von Gootkin and his wife Regina, and Bryan Chaffee. She treasured any opportunity to be with her great-grandchildren, Noah, Octavian, and Aurelia, and was looking forward to meeting Lucius who was born the day after she passed.

In addition, she enjoyed nine step-grandchildren; Brenda J. Chaffee (William Hanna) of Middle Haddam, Nicole J. Chaffee (Gene Pirro) of Higganum, and Tom and his wife Nicki Balamucki of North Carolina, Dr. Chris and his wife Jeannie Balamucki of Florida, David Balamucki of Marlborough, CT, Michael and his wife Lindsay Balamucki of East Hampton, CT, and Brian and his wife Annie of New Jersey, and 9 step-great-grandchildren.

Retiring after two decades at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Dottie embraced her part-time job spending as many years selling Real Estate. She loved decorating her home and especially enjoyed entertaining. With a huge heart and exemplary kindness, she was so generous and would always tend to anyone in need, bringing them a meal, offering a ride, and being a great friend to those who knew her well. We all knew she liked to shop, read a good mystery well into the night and bang out a crossword puzzle faster than anyone, and she often serenaded visitors on her organ. She loved to dress well and a good polka always gave her a thrill. Later in life, she moved into Luther Ridge Assisted Living where she had lots of friends, loved to do puzzles, and had just begun to enjoy crafts. She was a member of St. Pius X Church in Middletown.

A Funeral Liturgy will be held Thursday, October 6 ^th at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield St, Middletown. Friends may call at Biega Funeral 3 Silver Street, Middletown prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held in Indian Hill Cemetery 383 Washington St, Middletown.  To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.