On December 21, 2020, Dorothy I. Balaes (nee Tesoriero) of Massapequa, passed away at the age of 82. Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore P. Balaes; devoted mother of Margaret Davis and her husband Thomas; Irene Hart and her husband Jack, Suzanne Blair and her husband Michael; and son Richard and his wife Emma; loving grandmother of Thomas, Megan, Kerri, Colin, Giacomo, Violet, Gabriella, Jake, Grace and Brynn; dear sister of Marion Roddin and Joan Abrahamsen.

Born April 17, 1938 in Brooklyn, Dorothy devoted her life to her family; including her husband for over 50 years, her 4 children and 10 grandchildren. She loved to travel, the beach, gardening, played mahjong and poker weekly with a close-knit group of neighborhood friends.

At the family’s request, a private graveside service and interment will be held at Calverton National Cemetery. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank Team Lavender and the compassionate medical staff at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead for their care of Dorothy in her final weeks.