Dorothy Louise ‘Dottie Lou’ (Atterbury) Chinatti

 FALLS VILLAGE — Dorothy Louise Atterbury Chinatti (Dottie Lou), 90, of Falls Village, passed away on Sunday evening (July 22, 2018) at her home with her husband, Roland, by her side. Dottie Lou was born to the late H. Clinton Atterbury and Ruth Loring Atterbury on July 14, 1928. She grew up in Norwich and graduated from Norwich Free Academy. She completed her education with her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education at Russell Sage College, Troy, NY. When Dottie was seven years old she met the love of her life, Roland Chinatti, who was eight years old. They were fast friends not knowing that they would spend the rest of their lives together. Dottie Lou married Roland on June 10, 1950 in Norwich and then both moved to Springfield, MA where Roland finished his degree at Springfield College. From there, it was the start of an amazing adventure by moving to the Territory of Hawaii where Roland began his teaching career in Honolulu with Dottie Lou by his side. It is there where she learned to drive her first car, eat with chopsticks, and became a proficient hula dancer. Dottie Lou developed many close friends and wonderful memories during her years in Hawaii with her family. She was a faithful follower of Iolani School and all the faculty, staff and students who attended there. Taking a year off from Hawaii, the Chinatti family then lived in Greeley, CO while Roland was attending graduate school. After leaving her island paradise in 1970, Dottie Lou, Roland and their family of five children moved back to Falls Village. It was during that time that Dottie Lou rarely missed any of her children’s sporting events (there were many!) and you could see her in the stands at every athletic competition. Dottie Lou was also a wicked good tennis player. In addition to her husband, Roland, of 68 years, Dottie Lou is survived by her five children, Roland Chinatti Jr. (Rina), Howard Chinatti (Shannon), Karen Koutsoukos (John), Diane Chinatti, Suzanne Chinatti; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Dottie Lou was pre-deceased by a grandson, Christopher Koutsoukos, and her brother, Clinton Atterbury. Funeral services for Dottie Lou will be celebrated at The Falls Village Congregational Church, 16 Beebe Hill Rd, Falls Village, CT 06031 on Saturday (October 6, 2018) at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Dottie Lou are invited to contribute to the Falls Village Congregational Church, P.O. Box 72, Falls Village, CT 06031 or Norwich Free Academy Foundation, 305 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. Checks payable to NFA Foundation, Inc. or online donation is available at nfaschool.networkforgood.com.

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