Doris A. Dilley, or “Dorie” as we all knew and loved her, passed unexpectedly but peacefully into eternal rest on July 9, 2023, at the family homestead in Oxford. She was born on September 2, 1958, to Robert L. Dilley, Sr., and Doris H. Dilley (Grass) in Derby and lived almost her entire life at the family homestead.
Dorie loved gardening, fishing, camping, and her family. She loved the holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. She was passionate about cooking, and she took the secret recipe to her famous baked macaroni and cheese with her when she left us, which will leave a rumbling in the stomachs of all who were blessed to try it. She was dedicated to taking care of the family homestead which has been in the Dilley family for generations. She always made sure that the property was adorned with beautiful, bright, vibrant flowers that matched her radiant personality. She grew fresh vegetables every season in the large garden, canned some of the best pickles in the area, and was at an eternal war with twigs fallen in the driveway.
Dorie held a variety of jobs throughout her life, from working as a school lunch lady, to her most recent position as a school bus monitor working with special needs students. Dorie’s true calling, however, was to her family. She devoted much of her later life to caring for her mother and father as their health declined, a job for which she was passionate, compassionate, and self-sacrificed.
She was predeceased by her mother and father. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Michael Keller (Samantha Gillette) of Newtown, and their son, Charlie, her beloved grandson, who was the apple of her eye. She will also be fondly remembered by her sister, Brenda McWilliams (Joseph) of Naugatuck; and brothers, Robert L. Dilley, Jr. of Oxford, and Russell Dilley (JoAnn) of Seymour. “Auntie” will never be forgotten by her nephew and Godson, Clifford Husted of Southbury; nephew William Husted of Southbury; niece Cheyenne Dilley of Suffield; niece Lauren Dilley of Seymour; niece Megan Dilley and her son, Jaxon, of Seymour; and her beloved niece, Margaret “Maggie” Husted of Southbury, with whom she shared a special relationship.
Dorie will also be missed by her longtime best friend Lisa DeGeorge of Naugatuck, and her close friend Paul Aiksnoras of Oxford. The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Paul for his years of support and assistance to Dorie and the entire family.
A Celebration of Doris’s Life will be held in the near future and the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 W. Church St., Seymour, CT 06483 has been entrusted with her arrangements. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
