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Dorothy Loretta (Hautala) Atria died surrounded by her family on June 16.

She was born Nov. 15, 1937 in Manhattan, New York. Dorothy graduated from Sewanhaka High School in 1955. She lived and worked performing various administrative jobs in Long Island, New York until 1971. She relocated her family to an amazing family-oriented community in Freehold, New Jersey, where she lived and thrived for the next 30 years. Dorothy was a staffing coordinator at Centra State Medical Center for 20 years. After retiring in 2001, she moved to The Villages, Florida. In 2012, she moved one last time to enjoy her later years in Farmville.

Dorothy was a creative and talented crafter. She had a love of yard sales, antique stores and flea markets. She was known for using her skills to refurbish hidden treasures into beautiful pieces. She was an avid crocheter, knitter and sewer. She had the ability to see possibilities beyond the surface appearance. She was resourceful and innovative. She was a pioneer in garage sales, craft shows and the “trash-to-treasure” movement. Her sales were an annual event you did not want to miss.

She will be lovingly remembered and survived by her three daughters: Susan Reed of Howell, New Jersey, Lisa Justice (Robert Beavers) of Rice and Julie Grasso (Gary) of Brick, New Jersey; three grandchildren, Amanda Dorset (Ted) of Maplewood, New Jersey, Danny Cooper (Ame) of Keysville and Nicole Grasso of Point Pleasant, New Jersey; six great-grandchildren, Annie Bellino-Dorset of Maplewood, New Jersey, Nate Dorset of Maplewood, New Jersey, Sophia Cooper of Keysville, Magan Leonard of Farmville, and Valentino Gargiulo and Graven Waiter of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Dorothy also has several great-great-grandchildren. And her special best good boy, Davidson — her fur-baby.

She is predeceased by her infant son, Frank Martin Atri; her parents, Vilma and Martin Hautala, her loving husband of 50 years Nicholas J. Atria, and her brother, Thomas Hautala.

Services will be held at Puckett Funeral Home Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m., with a visitation starting at 4 p.m. until time of service in Farmville. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following charities in Dorothy’s memory: Heart of Virginia Free Clinic, P.O. Box 142, 401 East Third Street, Farmville, VA 23901.

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www. puckettfh.com.