Cestaro Feline Fund


Dorothy Cestaro passed away, July 10, 2008. It was her birthday and she had just turned 53. She suffered a stroke after returning home from her birthday dinner. No one expected it.

Dorothy was born in Queens Village, New York, in 1955. She lived there surrounded by family until 1962, when the family moved to Mercerville, New Jersey. She grew up in New Jersey, attended Douglas College (Rutgers University), and graduated with a teaching degree. Soon after graduating, she switched careers and became a purchasing agent for Trenton Sheet Metal. By this time, Dorothy has accumulated about 9 cats. She said she related to how cats react to situations. She liked their cool demeanor and independent natures.

 

Dorothy later married Dave Ellingsworth. Dave was very good with her cats, she reported. The two moved to Cherokee, North Carolina, and Dorothy took a job a Harrah’s Cherokee where she worked as a Cage Cashier Supervisor.

All her life she was an animal advocate. There was never an abandoned animal that she would not take home. Her care for these animals was amazing. Nothing was too good for her pets. She loved all animals, but clearly had a special place in her heart for cats.

She told her sister that her dream was to have a no-kill ranch; a place where any stray, any unwanted animal could be brought and receive the love and attention it deserved, regardless of it’s age or aliment. Whatever amount of years they had left, Dorothy wanted to make sure those years were happy ones. It was important to her that the animals knew they were loved.

When Dorothy passed away, she had 3 dogs and 4 cats. She also provided for the wild animals who regularly wondered onto her property in Cherokee, feeding turkeys, chipmunks, birds and more. The animals she took in had the greatest care and more love than is imaginable. Animals were Dorothy’s biggest love and they loved her back, as did all who knew her. Dorothy was an amazing person who will be terribly missed by all who new her.

 

The Dorothy A. Cestaro Memorial Fund has been established in an effort to further the vision of this remarkable woman -  a safe place where homeless animals can find the love and respect they deserve.  Contributions to this fund will be used to help The Haven meet the housing and medical needs of its feline population while they patiently await their forever home with a new loving family.