Dorothy Elizabeth Kosewicz, 100, passed away at home peacefully on December 1, 2025 with her family.

“Dottie” as she was known to family and friends, was born in Braintree, Mass, on June 15, 1925, the only child of Walter and Margaret Cain Krynzel. She lived a vibrant life filled with many longtime friendships she cherished.

In her young years the Krynzels moved to the Patch neighborhood of Turner’s Falls. She graduated from Turner’s Falls High School, where she was on the girls’ basketball team and had a lifelong passion for the Celtics and later, the WNBA. She worked at Wilson’s Department Store in Greenfield, Mass, where she was eventually promoted to credit manager. Along with her outgoing personality, Dottie had a knack for numbers, a skill she carried with her until late in life when she would pass time doing math workbooks for fun.

In 1948, she married Joseph Victor Kosewicz, a recently returned World War II veteran who had a career at the local post office. The couple built a home in Turner’s Falls, Mass and had one child, Joseph Paul Kosewicz, now of Worcester. Dottie went on to work at the Montague Police Department as a bookkeeper and secretary and the couple enjoyed a life filled with friends and church activities. A devoted Catholic family, they were longtime members of Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Turner’s Falls. When Mr. Kosewicz fell ill with liver cancer, Dottie took care of him until he passed away at home in 1983.

After her husband’s death, Dottie retired from the Police Department and did bookkeeping for her son’s business, Kosewicz and Ward Painting and Waterproof. She also began a long period of volunteerism at Bay State Franklin Hospital in Greenfield doing office work. She made lifelong friends at the hospital and was known as a snazzy dresser with a stylish wardrobe. She also volunteered at her church as a member of the Rosary Society. Dottie was a talented baker and would often make pierogies and sweet treats for church events, friends and family. In the late 1980s, Dottie and her cousin Rita took a road trip across the country and ended up in Seattle, where they took a cruise to Alaska. She also took vacations to Ireland, Austria and Switzerland to see where the Sound of Music was filmed. Around the holidays, she and friends would go into New York City for shopping and theater. Well into her 70s, Dottie and her girlfriends had a tap-dancing group at the Greenfield Senior Center and performed at various events. With her longtime friend Peggy Cadran, she went on a Caribbean cruise and the duo performed on the cruise ship.

She remained in her home in Turner’s Falls until she was 98. In her final years at home, Caroline McDade of Turner’s Falls became a dear friend and personal care assistant. In her 90s, Dottie also developed a loving bond with her new step-grandchild, Hart Rio Kowert, now a freshman at UMass Amherst. In her final years, they would watch silly videos together, listen to music, and play cards. In 2024, on her 99th birthday, Dottie attended Porchfest in Arlington, Mass to hear Hart’s band play a live concert. Hart gave a birthday shoutout from the stage to Dottie, “one of the coolest folks I know who has been on the planet longer than anyone I know,” to cheers and applause from the audience.

Dottie eventually moved to New Horizons, an assisted living in Marlborough where she made new friends and especially enjoyed the circle of girlfriends with whom she shared her meals in the dining hall. Dottie celebrated her 100th birthday at New Horizons surrounded by her new friends and loved ones including Caroline and Jerry Cadran of Turner’s Falls, son of Peggy Cadran and whom Dottie loved as her own son. Jerry was a constant companion and great source of help for Dottie in her later years.

At the end of her life, her son Joseph and his wife Deborah Alvarez O’Neil moved Dottie into their Worcester home with the support of Hospice. The family is grateful for the expertise, kindness and support of Jewish Healthcare Hospice of Worcester. Dottie is survived by her family, Joseph, Deborah and Hart of Worcester and many friends.

A Liturgy of Christian burial will be held on Thursday 12/4 at 10AM at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K St. Turner’s Falls, MA. A Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.

Donations can be made in Dottie’s name at JHC Hospice by visiting their website: ​jhccenter.org/make-a-donation/

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home, for condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.