Doreen Teresa DeMatteo Merola, 82, of Spring Hill, Florida, formerly of Cortina Road, East Haven, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023, at the Sturgill Hospice, Brooksville, FL.  She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph E. Merola.  Doreen was born in New Haven on March 10, 1941, and was the daughter of the late Augustine and Josephine Apicelli DeMatteo.  She raised her family in East Haven relocating to Spring Hill in 2018. She worked as a bank teller and a hairdresser. After her working days she and Joe became foster parents in the 1980’s to children in need.  Once babies entered their home they didn’t want to let them go.  Her home was always open for family gatherings. She hosted the Sunday night “Waltons” gathering for many years.  She leaves daughters Hope M. Dacey (Kevin) and Dyan Merola, sons Joseph E. Merola, Jr. (Sandra), Guy A. Merola (Jaimie Carotenuto) and Kai A. Merola (Britney Farley).  She also leaves her cherished grandchildren, Danielle R. Hotchkiss (Cameron), Brian J. Dacey (Erin Duffy), Joseph A. Merola, Jamie L. Merola and a sister Angelina Lenzi.  She was predeceased by her infant daughter Angel and sisters Hope Reitz and Eufemia (Effie) Smith.  She also leaves many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

The visiting hours will be Thursday, Sept. 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven on Friday morning, Sept. 8th at 10:00. Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum.