Dorothy Larkin Bivens, in her 102nd year, a life-long resident of Connecticut, died the 6th of November peacefully, of natural causes at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford CT.
Born in Bridgeport CT August 18, 1915 to Frank and Pauline Larkin, she was the eldest of three daughters. Living in Stratford for much of her life, she worked proudly and loyally for many years as an Executive Secretary at General Electric Company Housewares Division in Bridgeport, retiring in 1979. She married the late Edward Norman Hughes November 30,1937 and in 1945 gave birth to her late daughter Paula Beth Hughes (Gordon). She was a loyal member of Eastern Star and of the Southport Women's Club where she served as President for a number of years. She was an avid and very talented stitcher and won a number of awards for her outstanding work in cross-stitch and needlepoint.
After her husband died in 1972, Dorothy subsequently married the late Kenneth Bivens in 1975 with whom she lived happily in Fairfield, CT. Following Kenneth's death in 2000 Dorothy moved to Ashlar Village and subsequently Masonicare In Wallingford, CT where she met many people, received excellent care and enjoyed a wonderful community of support.
Dorothy loved her career at GE and was particularly proud of the trail she blazed as a career woman. She loved being direct, had a celebratory spirit and a sharp wit, and enjoyed entertaining, travel, and laughter. With her second husband Kenneth, she travelled the world, especially enjoying cruises to far-flung locales. But what brought her the most delight were life's simple pleasures - a dinner out, a special coat to wear, or having her hair done, Throughout her life, she coined many expressions that brought her family much delight. Animals gave her great joy, and she took wonderful care of many cats through the years, as well as a succession of toy poodles all named Nicky. Right up until 100 years of age, Dorothy was an avid reader, especially of biographies.
She is survived by her sisters, Esther Cartwright of Stratford and Mildred Carre of Inverness FL, her grand-daughters Amanda Gordon of Alexandria VA, and Margaret Schloegel (Kirk) and great-grand-daughter Ramona Schloegel of Minneapolis MN; nieces Carolyn Chadwick (Tania) of New York City, Marilou Cartwright, Kyle Hudak James) of Branford CT, Kelly Wasilewski (Bob) of Middletown, Kate Iacovelli (Joe) of Bristol; nephews David Chadwick (Pat) of Brick NJ, Keith Hughes (Terri) and Kevin Hughes of Middletown, and a number of grand-nieces and grand-nephews, her brother-in-law Kenneth Hughes of Middletown CT and her son-in-law Dr. Philip Gordon of Mashpee MA

A memorial service will be held at the Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home 2611 Main Street Stratford, CT Monday November 21, 2016 at 10:00 AM with burial to follow in Union Cemetery Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Masonic Charity Foundation of CT --Health Center Quality of Life Fund P.O. Box 70 Wallingford, CT 06492