Dorothy Newman

Dorothy Newman, age 89, passed away at Linda Manor on May 29th.  She was born in Chicopee MA, on December 20, 1936, the daughter of John and Victoria (Lesniak) Mika.

Dorothy attended public schools in Chicopee, MA. She attended Chicopee High School and went to work in Chicopee in her sophomore year.  She was employed at the Lawrence Hat Company. After working for the Lawrence Hat Company, Dorothy worked for Vanguard which the company was in Chicopee from 1951-1957 which was listed as Mill #2 in the FW Sickles Building in Chicopee.  They were also known as “Donald Ducks” which they were a manufacturer of plastic toys.   After her daughters were both in school in the late 60’s, she then went to work as a machine operator for M & L Plastic in Easthampton, MA until the plant closed down in 1989. After the plant had closed down, she then went on to work for Nutramax in Florence, MA until she retired in 2013.

She met her Husband Robert through a mutual friend in the early 50’s.   They married on May 7, 1955 and made their home in Easthampton since 1959.  Robert passed away in May 29th, 1992.

Personal thoughts here:

Dorothy was a quiet individual.  She enjoyed her time with family and friends. She enjoyed working on puzzle boards, crossword puzzles and circle the word puzzles. Dorothy was a candle pin bowler and bowled at Canal Lanes for several years and bowled on women’s leagues as well as mixed leagues.  Dorothy’s first “real vacation” was camping with friends and family through Vermont, New Hampshire and into Quebec Canada. She attended a “Bakery Convention” with her husband Robert, in Las Vegas, NV, which was the first time she had ever flown on an airplane. After Las Vas, NV, Dorothy spent time with her sister’s Regina & Emily on Bus Trips to the Casino’s in CT. Dorothy’s first cruise was in the Eastern Caribbean with the: “Newman Clan and her mother, Victoria and sister Emily, and then onto the Southern Caribbean through the Panama Canal with her daughter, Patricia and niece, Linda.  Dorothy had also enjoyed attending Country Music concerts at Mohegan Sun.  She has seen the Judds for their last mother & daughter tour and Reba McIntyre tour. Her favorite song was “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” by Lynn Andersen.  She had also attended Patricia’s graduations for her Master’s in Nursing in 2004 & Doctorate of Health Care Administration Degree in Phoenix, Arizona in 2012 and was accompanied by her niece Linda, as well.  This is where she attended her “FIRST” American Professional baseball game watching the Arizona Diamondbacks.  However, the most memorable trips were to the Cape after her daughter, Patricia’s Nurse Educator Conferences were held every May and spending time with her niece Linda and her husband Bob. Lastly, the road trips to Maine, especially Kittery & Kennebunkport for the shopping and seafood were always enjoyable.

Though Dorothy did not have grandchildren, she was known as “Bachie” to all the 4-4-legged children through the years for Scrappy I, Sparky, Scrappy II & Sparkles, Barney & Fred, Ziva and Abby, Sammy, Penny, Jesse and Mr. Gibbs. She had been known to babysit them a time or too.  She did love her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two daughters Dr. Patricia I Newman of Chesterfield, MA, and Frances & son-in-law Daniel Kapinos from Easthampton, MA. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren: Dorothy only had 4-4-legged Grandchildren: Scrappy I, Sparky, Scrappy II & Sparkles; Barney & Fred; Ziva, Abby, Penny, Jesse, & Mr. Gibbs.

 She was predeceased by sisters: Regina Cebula from Chicopee, MA., & Emily Hannon from Westfield, MA.  She was also predeceased by her brothers Edward & Walter Mika of Chicopee, MA.

Calling hours will be June 7 at the Mitchell Funeral Home from 4 to 6pm.  A Funeral Service will be Monday June 8 at Mitchell Funeral Home at 11:00am followed by Burial in Brookside Cemetery all of Easthampton

Memorial gifts in Dorothy’s Memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

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