Obituary of Dolores Ann Crooks

Dolores Ann (DiDonato) Crooks, age 86, of Fairfield and formerly of Trumbull passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Sturges Ridge of Fairfield. She was the beloved wife of the late William A. Crooks, Jr. Born in Brooklyn on July 31, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Anna (Vitalie) DiDonato and the sister of the late Richard A. DiDonato.  Dolores graduated from Central High School in 1956 and began her career at Handy and Harmon, then left to raise her family. In her later years, she worked as an administrative assistant for Krautkramer Branson, General Electric and Peoples Bank. 

Dolores had a radiant smile, an infectious laugh and a kind heart, affectionately known as the “Dancing Queen”, turn on some music and she was the first person to the floor!  She will be deeply missed by all who loved her. She was a proud and devoted mother, grandmother, Auntie Do, great aunt, "great-great" aunt, and cousin. No matter if it was a soccer game, pedaling Surrey bikes on Sanibel Island or in the back bay mangroves kayaking, she was always game for anything, especially if it involved being with family. Dolores continued to maintain close friendships with childhood school-mates, co-workers, and neighbors.

She loved to cook both Italian and Hungarian food, pies and holiday traditional desserts, pizza fritta and made the best meatballs & “gravy”. She learned how to sew from her mother and made many of her daughters’ clothing when they were young. (they looked like triplets). Swimming was her favorite sport, whether it was in a pool or at a beach, she was last one out. She enjoyed painting, mostly scenic pictures, and even house walls. Dolores loved to travel with Bill and their friends, in the US and abroad, especially if there was a slot machine nearby. She loved coaching summer league softball for her children. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader and supporter.   She and Bill had pool parties every weekend during the summer where there was no shortage of food or laughter. She looked forward to working at and being on the Trumbull Day committee every summer and working at the voting polls.  She accumulated numerous hours of volunteer work in the school PTA system.  She was a long-time parishioner of St. Theresa Church.  

Survivors include her loving children and their spouses: Lori and Gary Starr of Fort Myers, Sue Colon of Southport and Kerri and Chris Schaefer of Deep River; Five Grandchildren: Brittni and Carly Colon and Kelli, CJ, and Katie Schaefer; Sister-in-law Vikki Herman and her husband, Bill; Nieces and nephews, Debby and Rich DiDonato Jr. who loved her like a Mom; and Christopher Herman and Kait Tremaglio; Six great nephews and nieces, and Three "great-great" nephews and One niece; Four cousins, including her Cousin Rosemarie Testani who Dolores considered the sister she never had.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Sturges Ridge of Fairfield for the exceptional care, kindness and love they provided our Mother over the past 6 years and for Caring Hospice Services support.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Friends may greet the family on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a short mass following in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Interment will follow at Long Hill Burial Grounds, Trumbull.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, St Jude’s or a charity of your own in her memory. For online condolences, please visit us at www.abriola.com.