Doris K. LaRese

Doris “Meme” Katherine (McLean) LaRese, 98, of Southington, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, December 27, 2024. She was the wife of the late Robert R. LaRese who predeceased her on February 28, 1992.

 Doris was born on July 29, 1926 in Danbury, CT to the late Walter and Louise (Kromer) McLean. She attended Hamden schools and graduated from Hamden High School, Class of 1945. Doris worked at Southington Savings Bank as the Personnel Director, retiring in 1992. She served on the Southington Library Board for seven years and was instrumental in establishing the Friends Used Bookstore located in the library, as well as the libraries in the Southington elementary schools. She also loved gardening and was a talented stitcher. She was very proud to be honored for her quilting as the last “Artist of the Month” at the old library building. 

Doris married Robert on February 17, 1951, and they had two children, Susan and John. Meme is survived by her daughter, Susan Vivian and her husband Paul of Plantsville and son, John Robert LaRese and his wife Robin (Gardiner) LaRese of Marion. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband Jon, Nicholas, Ellery and their partner VE, Anthony and his wife Tonya, Taylor and her wife Elizabeth, and Alexander and his fiancée Katie, and twelve great-grandchildren, Jemma, Jett, Harper, Hayden, Ophelia, Solomon, Quinn, Ezra, Owen, Spencer, Manny and Joseph. She is also survived by one special niece, Lisa Dwyer of Barneveld, NY, a sister-in-law, Karen McLean of East Harwich, MA and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Bob, she was predeceased by one brother, Walter, and seven sisters, Irene, Mae, Mary, Jean, Ruth, June and Barbara.

 Doris’ family wants to thank the First Congregational Church Caring Committee, along with her companions from TheKey for their kindness and the excellent care they provided to her in her home.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Doris’ memory may be made to the First Congregational Church, 37 Main St., Southington, CT 06489 or to the Friends of the Southington Library, 255 Main St., Southington, CT 06489. 

A celebration of Doris’ life will be held in the springtime. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.