Dorothy M. (Healey) Saletnik

Ware - Dorothy M. (Healey) Saletnik, 82 of Ware passed away peacefully at home on October 31st, 2021. She was a life-long resident of Ware. Born on August 30th, 1939, she was a beloved daughter of the late Andrew and Eva (Girard) Healey. Dottie attended Ware Public Schools, graduating from Ware High School in 1957. On September 26th, 1959, she married Joseph M. Saletnik, her high school sweetheart, and together raised their three children.

In her working career Dottie held several positions in the food services industry at Big Y Supermarkets, Monson Development Center, Belchertown State School, and UMass Amherst. She was a parishioner of All Saints Church in Ware. Throughout the years, Dottie participated in local bowling leagues, pitch leagues, and always had a table at the All Saints Children’s Holiday Craft Fair. She thoroughly enjoyed attending all her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, at times traveling across New England to watch them play.

Dottie was an excellent cook and loved to organize family dinners at any time. Family gatherings were very important to her. She especially enjoyed family vacations to Cape Cod and traveling to places such as Alaska, Arizona, Aruba, and Las Vegas. Along with her husband joe, she loved to decorate her house inside and outside, especially at Christmas and Halloween for all to enjoy. She took great pleasure in watching the children’s faces light up as they viewed the decorations.  

Dottie leaves behind her three children, Kim (Saletnik) Gareau and her husband Thomas of Hardwick, Joseph P. Saletnik and his wife Joanne of Ware, Patrick Saletnik of Ware; three grandchildren who she dearly loved, Lyndsay Gareau and her fiancé Kyle Kotsopoulos, Shawn Gareau, and Lance Saletnik; several nieces and nephews, as well as extended family and friends. Dottie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Joseph M. Saletnik, and her seven siblings including brothers, Andrew “Sib” Healey, Gerard “Pit” Healey, Gene Healey, Robert Healey and sisters, Theresa (Healey) Campbell, Shirley (Healey) Houghton, and Ruth (Healey) Shepard.

A Funeral Mass for Dorothy will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 10AM in All Saints Church, 17 North Street in Ware where family and friends are invited to celebrate her life.  Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will follow mass in the New St. Williams Cemetery, Route 9, Ware.  In lieu of flowers and appreciation for Dottie’s life-long love of animals, donations may be made in her memory to Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

Dottie’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the personal caregivers and the hospice team at Baystate Hospital for all of the love and support you provided to their mother.

Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street, in Ware is assisting her family with arrangements.

An online guest book is available at charbonneaufh.com.

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