Dorothy Susan (Mordowanec) Coppa, 95, of North Haven passed away peacefully at Elim Park, Cheshire surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 8th, 2022.  She was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband Albert Coppa, to whom she was married 48 years.

Dorothy was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1926 and was the daughter of the late Mary and Michael Mordowanec.  She moved to Connecticut when she was 13 years old and graduated from Seymour High School in 1945.  Dorothy spent her professional career caring for others having received her R.N. from The Hospital of St. Raphael School of Nursing in 1948.  She treated her patients with dignity, respect, and warmth for over forty years. 

Dorothy was an enthusiastic fan of UConn Women’s Basketball team and the Boston Red Sox. She was also an avid reader and a lifelong learner. Her constant positivity was reflected in her demeanor, always sharing a smile with everyone.  She often said, “It doesn’t cost anything to smile.”

Family was everything to Dorothy as she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister as well as a wonderful, caring friend. Dorothy was predeceased by her sister, Delores Binkoski and her brothers, Michael and George Mordowanec. She was cherished by her three daughters and their spouses; Maryann Corey(deceased) and Richard, Pamela Tuohy and George, and Susan Hanson and Art. She adored her six grandchildren; Jennifer Nelson (Andrew), Matthew Tuohy (Samantha), Kristin Nacovsky (Paul), Jason Beisaw (Jessica), Meghan Walls (Jamie), and Kimberly Dorf (Jonathan). Dorothy was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren; Hunter Nelson, Sienna and Piper Walls, Stella and Olivia Tuohy, Mia and Camden Nacovsky, and Benjamin and Zachary Dorf.  Gigi was very special to them, and she loved nothing more than playing and spending time with them. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Dorothy took great solace from her faith. She was a communicant of St. Therese Church in North Haven for over 65 years, and the rosary was always part of her daily routine. She lived her life in accordance with her faith and beliefs showing kindness to all she met. Dorothy will be truly missed, but she will be in our hearts forever.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Elim Park in Cheshire for their care and compassionate support.

The visiting hours will be Sunday, Dec. 11th from 3:00 to 5:00 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 Monday morning, Dec.12th at 10:00.  Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Montowese Volunteer Fire Assn. c/o the Town of North Haven Fire Dept., 11 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473.