GUILDERLAND — Dorothy Ruth Pezze — homemaker, bookkeeper, fashionista, and consummate prankster — died on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at her home, after a long battle originating from complications of squamous cell carcinoma. She was 94.

She was born on April 19, 1929, in New York City to the late James and Margaret (née Rita Mary O’Connor) Haskell.

“She was the second oldest of four children — James, Dorothy, Eleanor, and Barbara,” her family wrote in a tribute. “At age 5, the family left New York City and moved to a farm in rural Beckett, Massachusetts. A few years later, they moved to Pittsfield and lost all their belongings and memorabilia in a storage-facility fire.

“In 1947, she graduated from Pittsfield High School in Massachusetts and entered the workforce as a dental assistant for Dr. Farrell & Son in Pittsfield. In 1949, she met her future husband, Frank, who swept her off her feet at a broom dance held at the local YMCA.

“In 1951, they married, and moved to Albany, where she worked at the New York State Department of Health. A faithful Catholic, she honored her marriage vows to be fruitful and multiply, by delivering the first of her six children. In the next 10 years, she delivered three boys and three girls.

“Later in life, she began working as a bookkeeper for her husband’s insurance business, Pega Risk Managers, on Wolf Road. They later purchased a building in Guilderland and moved their business to Western Avenue where her two sons, Kevin and Dan, also worked. After she retired in 1992, they would spend winters in their second home in Venice, Florida.

“Dot was a fashionista well before the Kardashians arrived, and could have been a model at 5 feet, 9 inches. She made sure to wear the latest fashions and would dress us the same.

“When she was a child, they couldn’t afford much, and one Christmas all she got was an orange in her stocking. As a result, she made sure our holidays, birthdays, and Christmases were different and would shower us with plenty of presents.

“Dot was never one to pass up the opportunity for a good prank or to scare people. Of course, that trait was also passed on to her children.

“She will be remembered for her quirky nautical sayings such as ‘I look like the wreck of the Hesperus’ or ‘You look like three sheets to the wind.’ Dot also made the best macaroni and cheese, pot roast with gravy, and baked apple pie.”

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Dorothy Ruth Pezze is survived by her six children Frank (Susan) Pezze III, of Guilderland, Mary Ellen (John) Kokoletsos, of Clifton Park, Kevin Pezze, of Delmar, Dan (Carol) Pezze of Loudonville, Eileen Humes of Pennsylvania, and Kathleen (Dale) Jackson, of Guilderland.

She is survived by 16 grandchildren, Jennifer, Meghan, Ashley, Francesca, McKenzie, Madison, Tara, Brian, Kristin, Michael, Ian, Cole, Danielle, Erin, Brandon, and Leah.  

She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Isabelle, Steven, Tanner, Molly, Samantha, Scarlett, Fallon, Brooke, Owen Cameron, Ava, Isla, Declan, Gianna, Charlotte, Grace, Skye, and Ellie. Within hours of passing, her 21st great-grandchild, Troy, was born.

Her husband of 55 years, Frank, died before her.

“The family would like to acknowledge Dot’s caring home health-care aids, Dr. Fran Vachon, daughter Kathleen Jackson, RN, St. Peter’s hospice care team and Craig Ritchie, NP for their medical support,” the tribute said. “In addition, we appreciate her daughters, Eileen and Mary Ellen’s comfort and care during her final days, her son Frank’s maintenance skills, and her loyal hairdresser, Staci Eigner.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Madeleine Sophie Church at 3500 Carman Rd. in Guilderland. A calling hour will be held immediately before the Mass from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church.

The Rite of Committal and interment will take place in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna immediately following the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Charities at www.support.crs.org/support or to The Community Hospice at https://www.communityhospice.org/donate/.