Naugatuck - Mrs. Dorothy Mae (Johnson) Arrington, 98, of Naugatuck, passed away peacefullyon Friday evening, August 21, 2015 at home surrounded by her loving family. Married for 49 years to the late Otis F. Arrington Sr. Dorothy was born on Feb. 17, 1917 in Torrington, daughter of the late Dewey Johnson and Dorothy Crosler. After skipping 5th grade she moved to Winstead at the age of 11 to continue her education and graduate from Gilbert High School. As a young girl growing up, Dorothy loved enjoying the outdoors, recalling her fathers advice to follow the river, it will always guide you home. She often reminisced of running in her father's farm fields barefoot and drinking fresh cold milk, a drink she enjoyed down to her death. Dorothy attended Harlem University from the age of 17-19 to graduate in 1937 with her nursing degree. As a resident of Waterbury in 1954 Dorothy became the first black female nurse to work at Waterbury Hospital. Dorothy helped plan and develop the hospital's new recovery room, and became the first Head Nurse. Ten years later she was asked to develop a new 9-bed intensive Care Unit, and in 1965 she became supervisor over the hospitals's specialty units: IV Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Out Patient Care and ICU. In 1973 she retired as the R. N. Supervisor of all Specialty Units after 37 years of dedicated service. After retirement Dorothy loved to gather her family together by hosting dinner parties and cooking large feasts. She also enjoyed sowing garments for the entire family and traveling around the world, being accompanied by family and friends. Most recently Dorothy took pleasure and encouragement in studying God's Word the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. Dorothy is survived by her son, Otis F. Arrington, Jr., and his wife Clementine of Naugatuck; three grandchildren, Daniel Arrington and his wife Linda, Lisa Thompson and her husband Jon, and Lakisha Lewis and her husband Aubrey, all of Waterbury; ten great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. The family would also like to thank unmentioned family and friends for those who loved and supported Dorothy over the years. She was predeceased by her siblings, Freddy Johnson, Dewey Johnson, Willie Johnson, Beatrice Hoffler, Claire Wright, and Millie Johnson. Family and friends may callon Saturday, August 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.at Woodtick Memorial,420 Woodtick Rd.Wolcott.On Sunday, August 30 at 5:00 P.M.the family will be present for all those who wish to call with a memorial talk to follow promptlyat 6:00 P.M.at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses,49 Bowman Dr., Naugatuck. A private graveside service will be held for the family at a later date.

Service Information Cemetery New Pine Grove Cemetery 850 Meriden Rd. Waterbury, CT --> Visitation Saturday August 29, 2015 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 420 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott, CT 06716 -->