Dolores Jean Pelton
07/18/1936 - 08/10/2020
Dolores Pelton passed away peacefully on August 10, 2020. Born in Louisville, Kentucky predeceased by her parents, Edmund and Ellen Bierberg. She leaves her loving husband of 42 years, Richard M. Pelton, her step-son Richard Jr., daughter-in-law, Esmeralda Moscatelli and their two children, Theodore and Marcello of Provence, France. Also; step-daughter, Pamela Louise Miller and her two children, Ross and Libby living in Dallas, Texas.
Dee attended the University of Louisville, majoring in art. Married to Dick in Louisville and relocating to Branford, Ct. in 1978. On the shoreline of Long Island Sound Dee enjoyed the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club for 20 years, active on committees and tennis. She purchased Munson Gallery (oldest gallery in Connecticut; started in 1860) in 1979 and operated it for 15 years. Her love of art and the local artists, many having graduated from Yale School of Art and Design plus a number of New York artists made for many successful shows and allowed the Peltons' to be an active part of the greater New Haven community.
With both sets of parents having moved to the southwest coast of Florida in the 70's, both Dee and Dick knew that at some time they would relocate. Dee sold the gallery in 1995, Dick retired in 1998 and relocated full time to Longboat Key. Having owned property on LBK since 1985, Dee designed a beautiful new house on the bay. Completed in 2000 along with an updated charming guest cottage some 40 years old the "Pelton" compound was idyllic. Her fondest time on LBK was attending Longboat Island Chapel and working in the thrift shop, "The Lord's Warehouse" for 12 years. She was the Saturday Manager and loved it! And the customers liked "Miss Dee"!
Nine years later Dee was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia. Seeking an easier life style, the Peltons moved to Sarasota Bay Club in 2013. As Dee's disease progressed she was most grateful for the kind, joyful and professional attention provided by the Bay Club. With the progression of the disease Dee moved to Arden Court Memory Care on August 14, 2017, the beautiful caring treatment she received supplemented by Tidewell Hospice starting in June 2019 was amazing. Now almost three years later she is gone. She had a full and happy life. She loved all her animals; a grand total of 13 cats and dogs. Always stylish with beautiful outfits and a warm smile plus one of the most creative cooks ever.
A memorial service will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, Fl 34238 or Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, Fl 34228 or The Paradise Center for Healthy Living, 546 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, Fl 34228.