Dora Cornell Wendrow passed away peacefully, at her home in Newington, on Tuesday afternoon (August 20, 2013), after a very brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. Dora leaves behind her adoring husband, Manuel “Manny” Wendrow, of 58 cherished years. They met at a resort in the Catskills in 1955. It would be a story retold over the years countless times and enjoyed by all who had the chance to hear it. After a short courtship, Manny and Dora were married and began their life together in Hartford, Connecticut. Besides her husband, Dora also leaves behind two children. Sheryl Tutolo and her husband Robert, Jr., of Northfield and a son Joel Wendrow of Bristol. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Bobby Tutolo, Carly Tutolo, David Tutolo and Heather Wendrow and her brother, Ronald Cornell and sister-in-law Joyce Gevirtzman of Raleigh, NC. In addition to her immediate family, Dora leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1931, the daughter of the late Leon and Frieda Cornell, she graduated from Midwood High School (Brooklyn) in 1948 and from Queens College in 1952 with a teaching degree. She was an elementary school teacher (Oceanside, LI) until she met the love of her life, Dora then went on to earn her MS in Guidance and Counseling from CCSU in 1974 and worked as a school counselor for more than 20 years. In 1985 she was honored by the Comm. School Counselor Association as Middle/Junior High School Counselor of the Year. Since her retirement in 1995, Manny and Dora enjoyed many years frequently traveling to Ogonquit Maine and many other New England destinations. Her greatest joy was time spent with Manny, her children and grandchildren. Dora was blessed to have the support of her family as well as loving and caring neighbors, aides and nurses from the VNA Hospice Care Unit. A special appreciation to Dora’s caregivers from Elder’s Choice, Sandra Duah and Abena Serwaah for all they did to take care of her. She felt a special bond with them and without whom Dora and her family would have been lost.
A family graveside service is planned for Friday, August 23rd at 11 a.m. at the B’Nai Tikvoh-Sholom Cemetery, Jordan Lane Extension, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield with Rabbi Philip Lazowski officiating. The family will receive at the home of Manny Wendrow, 34 Rosewood Dr., Newington on Friday afternoon from 1 to 4. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made the VNA Healthcare Hospice, 300 Queen St., Southington, CT 06489. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guestbook for Dora, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm
