Dorthelia (Moree) Cano

Cano, Dorthelia Maxine (Moree), 92, of Millbury, formerly of Wichita Kansas, died peacefully Friday, January 3, 2014 in the Millbury Healthcare Center after a prolonged illness. "Dottie" is survived by her loving son Steven Cano and his wife Robin (Gerardi) Cano of Millbury. Dottie was grandmother to six children whom she adored: Derek, Stesha, Tristan, Evan, Trenton, and Ariadne Cano. Numerous nephews and nieces also survive her. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and her husband of 61 years, William (Bill) Cano. She was born in Osawatomie, Kansas to Louis Pinkney Moree and Mary Myrtle Cooper Moree (both of Lowry City, MO) and moved to Ottawa, Kansas shortly thereafter. Following graduation from high school, Dottie moved to Wichita, Kansas to attend business school. She worked as an administrative secretary for most of her adult life; her employers included State Farm Insurance, Wichita State University, and the law office of Richard Rumsey. Dottie and Bill lived together in Wichita where they raised their only son. They moved east to Millbury to be closer to Steven and his family in 2010. Dottie was passionate about a number of interests. She was an amateur interior decorator, and her husband and son were frequently asked to rearrange the furniture in the house on a moment's notice. She loved gardening with Bill, as well as knitting afghans for friends and relatives, and sewing clothes of all types. She enjoyed all sports but most particularly bowling (she once broke 200), basketball games played by the University of Kansas, and any activity involving her son or grandchildren. Dottie's formative years were spent in a small Midwestern town during the Great Depression. The conservative, self-sufficient values she developed as a result were thankfully passed on to her son and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. There are no funeral services planned according to her wishes. Friends and relatives are invited to a Celebration of Life Luncheon on Sunday, January 12, from 3 to 7 PM at the home of Steven and Robin Cano, 4 Glover Road, Millbury. Contributions in Dottie's memory may be made to the Southern New England Basketball Club (SNEBC), 4 Glover Road, Millbury, MA 01527. The SNEBC is a regional non-profit organization that supports student athletes. Scholarships to qualified graduating seniors who have participated in the SNEBC Shockers AAU basketball program are awarded annually in the names of William and Dorthelia Cano. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 370 Plantation Street is assisting the family with arrangements. (Mercadantefuneral.com)