Dorothy (Gajewski) Swerko

Dorothy (Gajewski) Swerko, 91, of Berlin, CT, beloved wife of the late Daniel Swerko, died Thursday, February 17, 2022.

Daughter of the late Zygmont and Mary (Maznicki) Gajewski, Dotty was born and raised in Hartford, CT and graduated from Bulkley High School in 1948.  Her first job was working in the tobacco fields when she was a teenager.  After marriage and having children, Dotty became a stay-at-home mom. Her family was always her priority.  She took a job as a cashier at Food Mart when her children were older. As an empty-nester, she worked at Northeast Utilities and retired from the Purchasing Department.

Dotty loved to dance. While single, she attended dances at the Polish National Home in Hartford.  It was there she met her husband of 49 years, Danny. They both were members of the square dance clubs, “Rosetown Squares” of Cromwell and “Bucks & Does” of Berlin for over 25 years.  They attended annual square dance weekends at East Hill Farms in New Hampshire where Dotty wrote, directed and starred in skits they performed for their fellow square dancers. 

Dotty and Danny loved to travel. She always planned their annual vacations and made sure their trips included live stage shows, which they enjoyed the most. 

Dotty is survived by her two children, Laurie Boske of Rocky Hill and Kathy Parlin and her husband, Les of Lebanon, three grandchildren, Collin Boske of Rocky Hill, Kelly Parlin of Providence, RI and Jeffrey Parlin of Cranston, RI, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister, Wanda Gajewski, brother Henry Gajewski, and son-in-law, Ronald Boske.  She was well liked by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Calling hours for relatives and friends will be on Monday, February 21, 2022, from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Berlin Memorial Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Kensington.  At 11:00 am a small service will be held at the funeral home followed by burial at Maple Cemetery, Worthington Ridge, Berlin.  The family requests COVID protocols (masks) be honored.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association via this website https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate (click “Donate to a Walker”, then search for team “Dotty”), or plant a tree in memory of Dotty by visiting this website, www.alivingtribute.org.

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