Obituary for Olga R. Dwyer (Totaro)
Olga R. (Totaro) Dwyer, 91 of Pittsfield, MA died on Sunday February 5, 2023 at her home.
She was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 24, 1931, a daughter of Antonio and Annina (Furati) Totaro. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1949 and completed the Pittsfield Secretarial School in 1951.
From 1951 to 1958, Olga worked at the former General Electric Co. She left the work force to raise her family for 28 years. She then worked at Schaeffer Eaton until it closed and was last employed as a secretary in the office of Dr. Philip Mamolito until her retirement in 1994.
She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. Olga enjoyed cruises, trips to the casino, playing cards and knitting. She truly enjoyed being a part of the Salisbury Estates community and was a member of the Italian American Club where she played in the bocce league.
She married Charles Belknap on November 1, 1997. They were married for six years until his passing on October 8, 2003. She then married Thomas F. Dwyer on September 23, 2013. They were married for eight years until his passing on March 5, 2021. She cherished and enjoyed spending time with the extended families these marriages created. Family dinners and holidays were especially important events.
Survivors include three sons-Richard Arpante Jr of Pittsfield, MA; Robert (Shelley) Arpante of Dalton, MA and Thomas (Kelly) Arpante of Sanford, NC; and one daughter, Lisa (Brent) Arnold of Vail, CO. She also leaves her stepchildren-Paul (Ann) Belknap of Pittsfield, MA; Brian (Lori) Belknap of Pittsfield, MA; Gary Belknap of Bradenton, FL; Karen (Chris) Rodgers of Windsor, MA; Mike Hoffman of Dalton, MA; Lisa (Mark) Tully of Pittsfield, MA; Sheila (Peter) Coughlin of Pittsfield, MA; Jane Dwyer of Brookline, NH; 22 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Alfred Totaro; her sister, Connie Scutt and her stepdaughter, Jane Hoffman.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Olga Dwyer will be celebrated Saturday February 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. Steven Montesanti. Burial will be private. A calling hour will be held AT THE CHURCH on Saturday morning from 10-11 AM. Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com
She was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 24, 1931, a daughter of Antonio and Annina (Furati) Totaro. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1949 and completed the Pittsfield Secretarial School in 1951.
From 1951 to 1958, Olga worked at the former General Electric Co. She left the work force to raise her family for 28 years. She then worked at Schaeffer Eaton until it closed and was last employed as a secretary in the office of Dr. Philip Mamolito until her retirement in 1994.
She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. Olga enjoyed cruises, trips to the casino, playing cards and knitting. She truly enjoyed being a part of the Salisbury Estates community and was a member of the Italian American Club where she played in the bocce league.
She married Charles Belknap on November 1, 1997. They were married for six years until his passing on October 8, 2003. She then married Thomas F. Dwyer on September 23, 2013. They were married for eight years until his passing on March 5, 2021. She cherished and enjoyed spending time with the extended families these marriages created. Family dinners and holidays were especially important events.
Survivors include three sons-Richard Arpante Jr of Pittsfield, MA; Robert (Shelley) Arpante of Dalton, MA and Thomas (Kelly) Arpante of Sanford, NC; and one daughter, Lisa (Brent) Arnold of Vail, CO. She also leaves her stepchildren-Paul (Ann) Belknap of Pittsfield, MA; Brian (Lori) Belknap of Pittsfield, MA; Gary Belknap of Bradenton, FL; Karen (Chris) Rodgers of Windsor, MA; Mike Hoffman of Dalton, MA; Lisa (Mark) Tully of Pittsfield, MA; Sheila (Peter) Coughlin of Pittsfield, MA; Jane Dwyer of Brookline, NH; 22 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Alfred Totaro; her sister, Connie Scutt and her stepdaughter, Jane Hoffman.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Olga Dwyer will be celebrated Saturday February 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. Steven Montesanti. Burial will be private. A calling hour will be held AT THE CHURCH on Saturday morning from 10-11 AM. Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com