Millbury – Catherine “Dolly” (Trafecante) Duquette, 87, of Millbury, formerly of Oak Street in Shrewsbury, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, with her family gathered at her bedside. Her husband of more than 52 years, Arthur R. “Art” Duquette Sr., passed away in 2004.
Dolly was born in Worcester, one of six children of Italian immigrants Anthony and Lena (Bronzo) Trafecante. She grew up in Worcester, moving for a short time to Maryland before settling in Shrewsbury for the next 52 years. She recently moved to Millbury.
She is survived by the family she cherished, her son, Arthur R. Duquette Jr. of East Orleans; her daughters, Kathy Ann Mullen and her husband John “Mike” Mullen, with whom she lived, and Donna M. Duquette of Shrewsbury; a sister, Joan Gabriele of Worcester; and five grandchildren, Deborah Claflin and her husband Joshua, Kaitlyn and John Mullen Jr., and Lena and Racquel Rhodenizer. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Ayden, Ella, and Ayla, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah Duquette, and three brothers, Gerald, Daniel, and Anthony “Truffy” Trafecante, as well as a sister, Marilyn.
Dolly worked as a department supervisor for the former Digital Equipment Corporation before retiring. After retiring from Digital, she worked at Price Chopper in Shrewsbury as a product demonstrator for many years.
Along with her husband, her children and grandchildren always came first in Dolly’s life. She was the backbone of her family and remained devoted to her nearest and dearest, especially her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She truly believed that faith, family and friends were the most important and she had room in her heart for everyone she met. She was very generous with her love, time and resources, and always helped anyone she could.
Dolly was a member of St. Anne’s Church. She enjoyed watching TV, especially old Westerns, as well as traveling to Florida and many summers spent at their vacation home in Seabrook, N.H.
Funeral services for Catherine will be held Monday, Nov. 2, from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a procession to St Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial next to her husband and daughter will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. A period of calling hours will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to leaving for church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
