Dolores (Hill) Gauthier Olivelli, 93

June 26, 2025

We are saddened to announce the death of Dolores (Hill) Gauthier Olivelli on June 26, 2025 in Neffsville, PA.
She was born in Allentown, PA to Beatrice (Hedrick) and Russell Hill on February 25, 1932. She was joined four years later by her beloved sister, Sylvia. Dolores graduated from Torrington High School in Torrington, Ct. That is where she met and married Walter Gauthier. They had four children: Lindalee (Peter) Lambert, Alton Bay, NH; Kathyann Dyson, Las Vegas, NV; Donna Taylor, Colorado Springs, CO and Walter “Jay” (Jacqueline), Conestoga PA. Dolores was proud of her grandchildren: Benjamin Lambert, Zachery and Jeremy Worden-Dyson, Jessica (Daniel) Benedict, Andrea (Joseph) DeLeon, Travis (Hillary) Taylor, and Ian (Ana) Gauthier, Emma (Nick) Gauthier-MacDonald and “bonus” grandchild Brandon Lefever. She leaves behind many great-grandchildren scattered across the United States.

Dolores lived in many places in the Northeast, but settled for 20 years in Danbury, CT. She was active in the Women’s Guild in St. Peter’s Church and Girl Scouts. After a move to Torrington in 1970, she and Walter purchased and maintained a hobby farm. She could be seen—all five feet of her– luring a runaway horse or cow back to the pasture with a grain bucket. By the way, she swore she was over five feet tall! She wasn’t! It was 1976. She and Lindalee threw themselves into the Bi-Centennial celebration with making goods for craft fairs, authentic colonial garb—sunbonnets especially– and family gatherings. After a time, the hobby farm was sold and she and Walter bought a fifth-wheel trailer, and with son Jay, moved to Texas. She loved working at florists throughout her life and reached her peak at Chamblee’s Rose-a-Rama in Tyler, Texas,

After a divorce, Dolores met and married Carmen Olivelli and moved to Weatogue, CT and then Rindge, NH. Carmen and her hostas were the envy of their neighbors. After Carmen’s passing, Dolores lived in Quarryville, PA, near to Jay and then Gilbertsville, NY in Donna’s home. There she was active in the Women’s Fire Dept. Auxiliary, her local church and other civic organizations. She helped in the St. Afterschool Program, where she was known as “The Snack Lady” and “The Craft Lady.”

Dolores estimated that she moved 37 times over her lifetime, finally landing in Conestoga, PA, to live with Jay and his wife, Jackie. There, many sing-a-longs, picnics and family gatherings made her “retirement” joyful. She lived there up until her move to Neffsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Home almost two years ago.

Her many talents included exquisite needlework, making and decorating wedding cakes, “egg drop soup and pepper steak” dinners, rhubarb custard pie and hot German potato salad. Oh, and a damned fine martini! Cheers, Mom!

She will be missed, always…