Obituary of Dorothy P. Roketenetz

Dorothy P. Roketenetz (Coroniti), was born November 18, 1948 in South Boston to Joseph and Dorothy Coroniti.  Like her father before her, she was feisty. She was courageous, kind, loving, silly, and strong — very strong.  After battling cancer with the courage and resilience of a time-tested warrior, Dorothy rose in formation with the angels on January 7, 2025, at the age of 76. 

Through it all, she maintained her humor, her dignity, and her faith. Through it all, she showed us what strength looks like even when the body is weak.  Her indomitable spirit (which had endured the loss of her husband Stephen in the bloom of their youth and weathered more storms) still had not abandoned her.  Dottie — mother, noni, sister, aunt, cousin, friend — held on tight to this high spirit for dear life, because life, and her family, were dear to her. 

In addition to being a wonderful mother, Dottie was a gentle and doting grandparent who radiated love and generosity.  She was an awesome cook and prepared meals for her family with love and creativity, and shared her recipes and her gift for storytelling with her family.  While she was known to say, “One more thing,” it was always one more thing worth hearing, worth remembering. 

As outspoken and determined as she was, she was compassionate, loyal, and always the funniest person in the room.  A great conversationist, she could carry on a conversation for hours — and often did! 

Although she left Southie with her family as a young teen, she returned for a time later in life and, even when she moved to the Woburn she loved, remained connected to the Southie community and her many cousins there.  She remained proud of the impressive penmanship she was taught at the Gate of Heaven School.  As for the gates of heaven, Dorothy held deeply spiritual beliefs and looked forward to meeting her dearly departed.  She quipped recently, “It’s going to be OK.  These days I know more people in heaven than I know here.” 

Dorothy, like her parents, was possessed with a deep, native intelligence.  She could spin a story and command an audience’s attention, with her incredible memory for detail and rich family lore.  Relatives who wanted to know the back story on this or that great uncle or aunt knew Dottie was the family historian.   

Forced early on to be responsible for herself and her children, she could be stubborn. She was tough and she made her voice heard.  She was, to put it straight, a strong woman.  The world demanded she show up.  She showed up: for her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. 

Dorothy was the woman who, burdened by an illness, somehow managed to send thank you cards to friends and family.  She loved her dog, Cocoa, who brought her comfort and joy.

She could rejoice in hard rock music one minute and send her little sister cute videos of little animals in the middle of the night when she couldn’t sleep.

She is long pre-deceased by her loving husband, Stephen (“Butchie”) Roketenetz, and by her devoted partner of many years, Edward “Eddie” Denicourt. 

Dorothy is survived by her son Stephen Roketenetz (grandchildren Ella, Dylan & Nicolas); daughter Kristen Brown (grandchildren the late Jesse [with whom she will be reunited], Aiva, and Tayte); son Matthew Burke and his spouse Kristen (grandchildren Rylee, Corey, Avery); and Jonathan Burke and his spouse Chelsea (granddaughter June). 

She is also survived by her brother Joseph “Jay” Coroniti, Jr. and his spouse Jeanne (nephew Christopher and his spouse Anne-Marie; niece Talia and her spouse Insung), and sister Ellyn Castro and her spouse Peter (niece Vanessa and her spouse James). 

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250 Framingham, MA 01701 (cancer.org/donate) in honor of Dottie’s brave battle. Arrangements by the Graham Funeral Home, Woburn.