Obituary of Dorothy P. Scalzo

Dorothy (Plevka) Scalzo, 87, wife of the late Joseph P. Scalzo, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  She was born in Danbury on March 20, 1936, daughter of the late Edward Sr and Julia (Dupey) Plevka. 

Dorothy attended public schools and was a graduate of Danbury High School, Class of 1955. She & Joe purchased land and built a home in 1963 near Danbury Town Park at Candlewood Lake where she lived until 2009.  She was a mom and homemaker who liked sewing, cooking, spending time with her sisters, and hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  “Dot” held various positions at CVS Pharmacy where she worked for more than 20 years, first in Brookfield and later in the New Milford location.

Dorothy was a classical music enthusiast who voraciously read romance novels in the comfort of her La-Z-Boy recliner.  She enjoyed summertime beach outings to Sherwood Island State Park and family gatherings at her sister’s house on the way home from the shore.  Dorothy devoured her mother-in-law’s fried meatballs after Sunday Mass and learned to make favorite Italian dishes following her direction.  She was a close friend of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, always returning from their Vegas trips with great memories and no winnings. “Dort” was a loyal companion of her sister “Annie”, together they enjoyed long walks, frequent shopping trips, and dining out.

In 2009, Dorothy retired to Nunnawauk Meadows in Newtown where she regularly joined neighbors for a chat at the gazebo and played bingo at the community center.  Dot most recently resided at Maplewood Stony Hill in Bethel where she won the hearts of her generous caregivers from 2021 until her death.

Dorothy is remembered for her kindness and compassion for others, often donating clothing and housewares to those in need. She will be sadly missed by her daughters, Tina Marie Scalzo of Malden, MA; Julianne Van Antwerp and her husband Gregory of Brookfield, CT; her granddaughter Amethyst Van Antwerp of Brookfield, CT; her sister, Anna Plevka of Newtown, CT; her brother, Edward Plevka Jr of Seward, AK; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Eva DeFranco and Olga Mrozinski. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 17th at 10:30am at St. Gregory the Great Church.  Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Sunday between the hours of 2:00 – 4:00pm.