Dorothy Welch Records

Dorothy Welch Records, 86, of Wakefield passed away at home on February 19, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Dottie, as she was known by all, was the cherished wife of Robert Records for 64 years. Born on October 15, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Fredrick and Martina Welch and devoted sister to the late Fred, Frank, and Chet Welch.

Dottie was a proud graduate of St. Mary Academy Bay View and Rhode Island College. Dottie began her career in education as a second grade teacher at Charlestown Elementary School. She later became a beloved preschool teacher for the South Kingstown Parks and Recreation Department for more than 25 years. Dottie lovingly started her preschoolers on their academic journeys with carefully created activities that included favorite children’s books, creative crafts and the highly anticipated Mother’s Day luncheon.

She was a member and past president of the Arbutus Garden Club where she learned to create beautiful floral arrangements that she made for her children and nieces’ weddings. It was there that she perfected her gardening skills. Her backyard flower gardens were beyond stunning.

Dottie was a dedicated blood and platelet donor for many years at the Rhode Island Blood Center and also spent time delivering Meals on Wheels. She was a daily communicant at St. Francis of Assisi Church and served as a Eucharist Minister there. She often opened her home to her children’s friends as well as family members in need of a place to stay. She had a gift for creating delicious meals and baked goods. Her Thanksgiving dinners were legendary.

Dottie and Bob enjoyed many travels together including three cross country road trips to nearly every state with their young family, as well as travels to Ireland, Italy and a river cruise along the Rhine with longtime friends. Dottie also loved the many Christmas destination trips she took throughout the country with her two dear friends from high school. Her family was her greatest joy. She never missed any of her children’s or grandchildren’s school or athletic events. She was always her family’s faithful supporter and fiercest advocate in any endeavor they chose to partake in. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law. Her love of her four children and their families was unwavering.

She is survived by her loving children, Ellen Basso (Andrew) of East Greenwich, Robert Records Jr. (Lori), Julie Turcotte (Daniel) and Brian Records all of South Kingstown. She was the cherished “Nana” to Brent Basso (Ally), Rachel Rufo (Antonio), Thomas Basso (Kelsi), Haily and Keegan Records, Brian and Olivia Turcotte, and Landon and Owen Records and great grandmother of Elena Rufo.

Dottie is also survived by her brother-in-law Paul Records and sister-in-laws Susan Records and Christine Welch as well as many adored nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her best and lifelong friend since early childhood MaryEllen Moffitt.

Dottie’s legacy of devotion to family as well as her enduring love of children will live on in the hearts of all that were fortunate to have known her.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jane Kenyon for her support to us and outstanding care of Dottie in recent years as well as to Tiffany and the staff at Beacon Hospice for their expertise and sincere compassion to mom in her final days.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 24th from 4-7 PM in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street Wakefield, Rhode Island. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 25th at 10:00 AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dottie’s name to one of the following charities:

Friends of SK Parks and Recreation - Scholarship Fund

325 Columbia Street

Peace Dale, RI 02879

The Arbutus Garden Club

c/o Cassandra Crandall

201 Klondike Road

Charlestown, RI 02813

Attention: Scholarship Fund

The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter

245 Waterman Street #306

Providence, RI 02906

www.alz.org/ri.