Obituary of Dorothy A. Carstensen

Dorothy A. Carstensen

103, Formally of Radcliffe Ave, died peacefully Saturday, June 3, 2023, at HopeHealth Hospice. Born March 5, 1920, to Fred and Annie (Warren) Mills. Growing up during the Great Depression, the family moved many times. They farmed in Johnston also lived in Conimicut, where her father was a shellfish warden, where they enjoyed summer days on his boat in Narragansett Bay and picnics on Prudence Island. During WW2, she worked at McLeod Optical Company in Providence. At this time, she met a young sailor named Robert Carstensen. They were married in 1946 till his passing in 2001. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Bermuda with friends and family and were active in the Grange, VFW, and Sun setter Club. In her later years, Dottie would volunteer her time at her church, St Peter’s and Saint Andrew’s, at the food pantry, knitting hats and blankets for premature babies and helping with church services. Dorothy had many talents; she loved music and was a gifted organ player. Her lemon squares and cookies were a treat for all that visited for a cup of tea. Though Dottie and Bob never had any children of their own, they showered their love and affection on their many nieces and nephews. taking them on trips, spending holidays together, and celebrating their birthdays. For the last six years, she has resided at The Highlands on the East Side, where she enjoyed many carefree days with her friends. Here she celebrated her 100th birthday with a proclamation from the Mayor and became an
honored member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was the sister of the late Ella Rodrigues and Evelyn Grant and sister-in-law to Vita Campbell and Edith Gray. Dorothy leaves behind many of those nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as long-time caregiver Anne Banville. She will be interred at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery with her late husband, Robert, at a later date.

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