Dorothy Rich

Dorothy Rich, 92, of Tijeras passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Presbyterian Hospital.

A native of Cos Cob, CT, Dorothy was a loving wife to Patsy J. Rich, her husband of 60 years. She is survived by five children, Susan Rich, Kathleen Rich, Kevin Rich, Thomas Rich, and Anne House; and five grandchildren, Rebecca Rich, Joshua Rich, Benjamin Bean, Katherine Rich, and Rachel Bean. Dot was predeceased by her husband Pat; and her firstborn infant, Michael.

Dot worked as an Executive Secretary for Pitney Bowes, and then retired to New Mexico in 1987 to be closer to her grandchildren. She was loved by all who met her.

A private viewing and burial service were held for immediate family, due to pandemic restrictions.

Donations can be made to the Love Your Neighbor Fund of St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Albuquerque Online Giving on the parish website (www.johnxxiiicc.org),and the East Mountain Food Pantry in Tijeras (www.eastmountainfoodpantry.org).

On Tuesday, December 8th, 2020, Dorothy Domestico Rich, loving wife, mother of six children and grandmother to five, passed away just before her 93rd birthday.
Dorothy, Dottie or Dot to friends and family, was born on December 25th, 1927 in Cos Cob, Connecticut to Cosantino (Gus) and Angelina Domestico. She was the youngest of three. Her sister, Tess and brother, Frank were eleven and twelve years her senior. She grew up in a home shared with her aunt, uncle and two cousins. Being the youngest of both families, Dottie says she never wanted for anything and was adored and doted on by all. Despite all the attention, she remembers even at a young age, it was her priority to be well-behaved and treat others with kindness and service.
Dottie skipped her senior year of high school to start work as a secretary for Pitney Bowes. She worked between there and Greenwich Catholic Middle School throughout her adult life.
The two sisters, Dottie and Tess, loved to dance. Dot said she had many boyfriends, but, only to dance with. No one was good enough to be serious about until Patsy Rich stole her heart in her early-twenties. They had six children and celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before Pat was taken from her in 2013.
Dot retired from Pitney Bowes in 1986, and she and Pat followed their daughter Susan to Tijeras, NM. Dot loved the canyon through the east mountain pass. She said that on her first visit, the views took her breath away and they continued to do so for the next 34 years.
In retirement, Dot and Pat were committed to service and good works through the Catholic Church and preserving and sharing the rich history of New Mexico through The East Mountain Historical Society.
Throughout her years, Dot nurtured a sense of wonder and love of life. She suffered rheumatic fever as a small child, resulting in damage to her heart and again after the birth of her last child, Anne. She survived cancer in her 60s, open heart surgery at 81 and the loss of every family member of her generation and beyond, including her first born son. And still, everyday she found something to appreciate: her friends and family, her favorite saint, St Anthony, the birds she fed outside her window or the simple pleasures of a chile-cheese sandwich.
Dot was strong-willed, independent and passionate about her faith. She was loving and kind and loved to laugh and tell stories. She valued the uniqueness of individuals and welcomed different viewpoints and lifestyles. She was adored by all who knew her and she will be sorely missed.

Dot is survived by her 5 children, Susan Rich, Kathy Rich, Kevin Rich, Tom Rich, and Anne House and her grandchildren Rebecca Rich, Josh Rich, Katherine Rich, Benjamin Bean and Rachel Bean.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Love Your Neighbor Fund of St. John XXIII Catholic Church or any local food bank.