Dorothy M. Cloutier

Dorothy M. Cloutier 

November 13th, 1939 - May 24th, 2026

Holland MA.

Dear Mom, you always told us to never shed a tear when you passed. We are not broken, we are bent, because you have made an impact on everyone in your life. You have spent your life raising you children, and only two of us remain. Mom, you are not just another obituary, you are our mom. A grandmother. You have raised us to be strong, independent and to back into parking spaces in case we need to run.

My mom always said she should write a book; she of course, did not. Though, she was using ChatGPT to help her compile some stories together over the last year or so. I am here to tell you a little about the legend of my mom, Dorothy Cloutier. My mom deserves her story to be told.

Dorothy Starzyk was born in 1939, a coal miner’s daughter in Wilks Barre Pennsylvania, to the late Stella and Albert Starzyk.

Dorothy grew up in West Springfield, Massachusetts. She was the youngest of three daughters, who have since have pre-deceased her, Rose Liana, and Elizabeth Francescina. Of the three, Dorothy was the rebellious one. She would rather be out on the farm helping her dad then in the kitchen like her sisters. She almost succumbed to appendicitis around 9 years old, and that was first time of many that her “last rites” would be given. She loved her horse, “Ace” and she made the news headlines when she ran away on her horse to be with her future husband, Raymond Piela. After 3 days, she was located. Eventually, Dorothy and Raymond wed. This happiness was short lived however, when her husband was drafted. They had a son, Raymond Piela JR. Soon, they had another; David Piela. Shortly after, her husband Raymond was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Dorothy was now a widowed single mother of two, alone at 22.

Years later, Dorothy married again. This marriage, too, would be short lived, and full of abuse. After buying her house down on Christmas, my mother had no choice but to protect her children. During that marriage Dorothy gave birth to a son, Douglas Adriance.

Now, a single mother of three through no fault of her own, was alone.

Dorothy, with some help and guidance from a few helpful people, became an expert hunter and fisherman. She loved recounting the stories of taking her boys fishing, their German Shepherd racing out to the boat with them each time, almost tipping the boat over.

Dorothy’s life and entire world became exponentially harder when her oldest son, Raymond, fell sick. Despite countless surgeries, scares, and hours spent in the hospital, she still balanced being a wonderful mom for all. She worked as a waitress, and whatever factory work she could get to help pay his medical bills. She became a breeder of German Shepards, Dobermans and eventually Toy Poodles.

Dorothy eventually met Armand Cloutier, and they were married. Dorothy helped run his trucking company, "Boston Baltimore”. She would race snowmobiles in the winter still supporting her sons. In their interests. Dorothy enjoyed spending time showing her beloved horses, and was the biggest fan of her newest child, a daughter, Kimberly. Kim joined her at all of these aforementioned horse outings. Rain or shine, she was always there. You would find Dorothy on the sidelines cheering on her son David in the winter as he ice raced his ATV’s. Nothing kept her away from being her kids' number 1 fan. My mom taught all of us how to ride a horse, hunting fishing, (and some cooking too). Sundays her house would smell delightful with homemade spaghetti that she would start at 3 am or Glouumkis, or whatever homemade dish she had planned. She could cook and did not disappoint. Thursday nights she would be at the horse auction, sometimes she was able to purchase a horse that was sent for slaughter. Those nights almost always ended in a trip to Abdows “Big Boy”. Most times she was buying tack for her shop that she could sell to the local 4-h kids to help them get started. Dorothy was a go to for so many. When it was time to hay, my mom was in the field with us, loading bales so we had plenty for winter. She never stopped moving.

Once again, her happiness was tragically cut short, as her oldest son Raymond passed away in September of 1994, and her husband Armand Cloutier passed away of cancer in October of 1995. Her mother Stella Starzyk passed away in October 2009.

She persisted on and was almost taken out by a heart attack in 1997, but it wasn’t her time yet. Multiple pulmonary embolisms attempted again years later, but Dorothy was too strong and won again. Dorothy was able to see her grandchildren and do her favorite things; Polka dancing, going to flea markets and tag sales and load the house up with “stuff” so I can sort it out now.

She continued on, hunting with her son, and grandson, camping and enjoying the ocean at Jamestown RI looking for clams with her newest grandkids. Dorothy was NO milk and cookies grandma! When she wasn’t at the ocean in her seasonal heaven, she was always busy planning the next adventure with one of her grandkids riding along. She would be at the motocross track watching her beloved Nikolas on his new ATV. She always had a full cooler and was prepared for anything. She always had the latest iPhone, and her house was wired in all the technology Jeff Bezos could offer. She never missed the Big E- It was a family tradition, I know because she told me, every year. I hope she gets her beads this year in heaven.

She loved her dogs, and would adopt the oldest ones that were passed over,

Despite all of her hardships she had empathy for everyone and everything, and the best advice. She always picked up the phone. She was the perfect mom.

In August of 2023 the cruelty of cancer took her younger son, Douglas away, she too was on hospice then, but she beat the odds.

Dorothy led an unbelievable life, she will be remembered for her strength, kindness, compassion and being the core of the family. A woman that lost so much but gave everything despite her circumstances. You could go to her for advice anytime, unfiltered, and she would give it to you, because she really didn’t give a f- what anyone thought. A mother, a friend an inspiration that will be missed by so many.

Dorothy Leaves behind her Son: David Piela and his wife Nina of West Brookfield MA

Her Daughter: Kimberly Foustoukos and her husband John of Charlton MA

Her Grandchildren: Adam Piela, Douglas Adriance Jr, Zachary Adriance

Kyle and Kali Blouin, Nikolas, Paige and Jon Foustoukos

Great grandchildren: Max and Finnegan

Francis Rahilly and many cousins, nieces, and nephews

And her adopted dog Harvey, who is still waiting for her to come home.

There will be no ceremony plans at this time. Dorothy's life lives on through the children she raised, and friends she made. She would want people to watch her eternal slideshow and to see what she has accomplished and remember her life. She took pictures along the way, please enjoy the ride as much as we did.

I know that we had the best mom, and Heaven is a beautiful place because they have her now.

Arrangements are being directed by Belanger Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA 01550. An online guestbook and tribute video are available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com

A Video tribute will be available on Monday.