Dorothy Mae (Finkelstein) Finell

“Dottie” was born on September 12,1934 - and grew up in - New Britain, CT. She was the daughter of Zundie and Sally (Hoffman) Finkelstein. She leaves behind her older sister, Alice Goldberg of New York City, and her beloved partner of many years, Wally Callaghan of Ontario, Canada. She also leaves behind her 1st cousin, Alan Finell, of Simi Valley, CA.

Dottie also is survived by many adoring children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and close friends. Her seven children include: Larry Reibman of Los Angeles, CA; Gregory Reibman (Cindy) of Newton, MA; Susan "Jane" Lieberman Obert (Jeffrey) of Newington, CT; Elaine Reibman Surveski of New Hartford, CT; Andrew Lieberman of Abington, MA; Lynne Reibman Rudek (John) of Harwinton, CT; and Robert Lieberman of Lansdowne, VA.

“Grandy’s” 11 grandchildren include: Katie Reibman and Calvin Reibman, both of Los Angeles, CA; Andrea Obert-Hahn (Dan) of Newington, CT; Johnnie Rudek (Sarah) of Torrington, CT; Alex Obert of Stamford, CT.; Ryan Surveski of San Francisco, CA; Michael Rudek (Rachel) of West Hartford, CT; Amber Surveski of Baltimore, MD; Alexi Reibman of Hyde Park, MA; Bailey Lieberman of Arlington, VA; and Scottie Reibman of Cincinnati, OH.

Dottie (“Gigi”) also is survived by four great-grandchildren: Tyler Hahn and Jameson Hahn of Newington, CT; and Milo Rudek and Jude Rudek of Torrington, CT.

Whether it was luck or fate, Dottie found true love in 2010, at age 75, when she met Wally Callaghan on a cruise ship travelling from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Hong Kong, China. Wally described Dottie as the "love of his life" and Dottie felt the same way about him. Wally's family embraced Dottie into their family, building close and loving relationships with them.

Dottie graduated high school from the Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, NY. After high school, she went on to study English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and Russell Sage College in Troy, NY.

Dottie loved singing from an early age. As a teenager, she was accepted into a summer program led by renowned Boston Symphony and Boston Pops conductor Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood music center in Lenox, MA. Her love of music and singing brought her much joy throughout her life.

In 1956, Dottie married her first husband, Charles Lieberman, an anesthesiologist with whom she had three children. They later divorced. In 1968, she met and married Harold (“Hal”) Reibman, a widower with four children and a successful retailer. The seven ‘Brady Bunch’ siblings bonded immediately. Sadly, Hal died in 1981, but the seven children continue to share a close relationship to this day. Shortly after Hal’s passing, Dottie moved from Connecticut to Beverly Hills, California. In 1986, she married Marvin Finell, an attorney and financier, who passed away in 1998.

Dottie worked in the retail industry from the time she was a young adult. After marrying Hal, she joined him as co-owner in Torrington, CT, of several specialty clothing stores and one of the country’s oldest independent department stores, where she was able to put her previous experience with retail sales and decorating to good use.

Dottie was a lifelong Democrat. She was quite knowledgeable about politics and loved to engage her fellow Democrats in discussion. She was an active member of Emily’s List for many years. She felt compelled to donate to Democratic organizations and campaigns that she felt strongly about. She also was active in supporting veteran’s, women’s and children’s organizations. In more recent years, Dottie became very concerned about the direction our country had taken, particularly the increase in gun violence. She feared the impact that would have on the futures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and so, she focused much of her attention on gun-control advocacy.

Throughout her adult life, Dottie was an avid world traveler, having seen and experienced dozens of countries. In her later years, she also discovered a passion for book-writing. She wrote and published several books - Finally Home; Specialty Shops; and Going Green. And, at the time of her death, she was writing another book intended as a family history for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dottie first visited Carmel while on vacation with her third husband, Marvin. Following Marvin’s death, Dottie was drawn back to Carmel, captivated by its rugged natural beauty and its eclectic mix of people. She developed many, many wonderful and caring friends there. Having found true happiness in Carmel amongst "her people", she blossomed into a social butterfly, enjoying an incredibly active social life right up until her death.

A private memorial service is being planned by her family, to be announced at a later date.

Donations in Dottie Finell’s honor can be made to the following by clicking on the links below:

• Alzheimer's Association

• Sandy Hook Promise-Preventing Gun Violence Before It Happens

• Wounded Warrior Project