Lorena Delphine Dutelle, 85, died peacefully at her home on Friday, September 6, 2024. Lorena was born in Hartford, CT, January 7, 1939, to Mark and Jeannette (St. Marie) Dutelle. She grew up in Hartford and was an active parishioner of St. Anne Church for much of her life. Most recently, she lived in South Windsor, CT and attended St Margaret Mary Church.
Lorena was a graduate of St Anne’s in Hartford, as well as Putnam Catholic Academy in Putnam, CT, Trinity College in Burlington, VT. and Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Lorena taught some Social Studies and Latin but mainly French at Manchester High School from 1961 to 1996. She was a dedicated teacher who was still in touch with many of her students.
During her career at the high school, Lorena was successful in bringing innovative programs to her classroom. She set a precedent in 1967 by bringing members of the French Club to Quebec for four days. Before that, Manchester students were not allowed to cross the border for a field trip. Her group was the very first to leave the confines of the US. The trip allowed her students to try out their French first-hand and she would give them extra points if they used it. Wonderful memories were made on these many trips to Quebec.
Lorena was an active member of the Associates of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit for over 25 years. She rejoiced in sharing in all the good works of the Associates. She was also the president of the Petit Cercle Francais, a group founded in the 1940’s to celebrate all that is French. She enjoyed sharing time with fellow Francophiles. Her interests included travel, photography, and doing word search puzzles both in English and French. She was an avid reader.
Lorena had a kind, loving, and generous heart. Her friendship was a gift to be treasured. She kept up a connection and correspondence with many relatives and friends both here in the US and in France. She will be greatly missed by so many dear friends, especially Mary, Carroll, Maureen, Cindy, Annette, and Eileen as well as her Haitian family that included her son of the heart Karl, Father Marc-Authur Francois, Stephane and family. She had a special knack for keeping all her many cousins connected, especially her namesake Lorena and cousin Ray and his wife Fran. She rejoiced in all the good in the lives of those she loved and kept them in her prayers, especially in times of need.
Lorena was a woman of strong belief. The Archdiocese of Hartford recognized her service to her church by conferring on her the Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation. She held her Catholic faith close to her heart and spread God’s love to all.
She is survived by and especially loved her big brother Charles “Charlie” Dutelle, and her beloved niece and nephew Dorrie Dutelle and her partner Mario Perez and Mark Dutelle. Lorena was predeceased by her parents, her beloved sister-in-law Kay Dutelle, and her special cousin Sister Marian St. Marie DHS.
All are welcome to join the family at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road in South Windsor for calling hours on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 10-11:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 pm at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road in South Windsor. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in honor of Lorena to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, P.O. Box 419, 508B Pomfret Street, Putnam, CT 06260. To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
