Our Staff

Jay B. Doolittle

4th generation, President and son of the late John D. Doolittle. Joined Doolittle’s in 1989 as a funeral director. He attended public schools in Middletown and Cromwell and graduated from Xavier High School in Middletown. After attending the University of Hartford and graduating from Lake City Community College in Lake City, FL with an Associate Degree in Golf Course Management, he graduated from the New England Institute of Mortuary Science in 1989. Jay assumed ownership of the family business in 2001, upon his father’s retirement. He resides in Middletown with his wife, Donna. They have three children and six grandchildren. Organizations:  member of Cromwell Hillside Cemetery Association, Board of Directors of Pine Grove Cemetery and the Cromwell Outboard Association. He enjoys golf, snowmobiling, fishing, and is an New England Patriots fan.

Donna (Daniels) Doolittle

Joined Doolittle and Cromwell Funeral Homes in 1997 as office manager and funeral assistant. She is a graduate of Mercy High School class of 1978 and Manchester Community College class of 1981. She resides in Middletown with her husband, Jay. They have three children and six grandchildren. Organizations: member of the First United Methodist Church, Vice President and Sexton of the Cromwell Hillside Cemetery Association, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Pine Grove Cemetery and a member of the Cromwell Outboard Association. She enjoys gardening, snowmobiling, golden retrievers, cross stitch, and is an avid sports fan.

Heidi (Paulson) Abbott

Joined Doolittle and Cromwell Funeral Homes in 1984 as a funeral director and also went on to become an advance planning advisor. Lifelong Portland resident, she attended public schools in Portland and graduated in 1982 from Vinal Regional Vocational Technical School in Middletown. She then went on to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, OH, graduating in 1984 with an associate degree in applied science. Heidi resides in Portland with her husband, Al and their son. Organizations: member of Faith Lutheran Church, Middletown, member of the Exchange Club of Portland serving on the executive board as President, Portland Fair booth committee, annual golf tournament committee and scholarship committee;  member of Connecticut Patriot Guard and on the Board of Directors for the Swedish Cemetery in Portland. She enjoys spending time with family, their chow chows, and mini american shepherd, Swedish heritage, photography, an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and an avid women’s basketball fan following UConn and WNBA CT Sun.

Eden (Gaity) Hartman

Joined the staff of Doolittle and Cromwell Funeral Homes in 2017 as an apprentice.  She graduated from Lincoln College of New England with an Associate Degree in Applied Science.  Eden earned her Funeral Director/Embalming license as of January 2019. She resides in Bristol with her husband, Chris and their son, Jack.  Organizations: member of Middletown C.E.R.T. with the Office of Emergency Management. Eden enjoys reading, kayaking and spending time with her family.

Stefany C. Mauri

Funeral assistant with our funeral homes since 2005 and licensed funeral director since 1998. She is a graduate of Middlesex Community College with an associate degree, and graduate of Briarwood College with an associate degree in mortuary science. Stefany resides in Higganum with her husband, Steve and their three children. Organizations – member of St. Peter Church in Higganum. She enjoys spending time with her children and following all their activities.

Rebecca Godwin

Joined our funeral home in 2011 handling accounts receivables. Lifelong East Hampton resident, attended East Hampton public schools graduating in 1992 and attended Middlesex Community College in Middletown. Becky resides in East Hampton with her husband, Jeff, three children, and two dogs, Bentley and Kingsley. Organizations: member of the Higganum First United Methodist Church and finance chair of the Relay For Life of Greater Middletown. She enjoys reading, crafts, sports, and spending time with her family.

Craig A. Daniels

Funeral assistant with our funeral homes since 2006. He attended public schools in Cromwell, graduated from Cromwell High School in 1976, and studied Hotel and Food Service Management at Manchester Community College. Craig resides in Portland with his wife, Linda. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. Organizations: member of the First United Methodist Church, Middletown and Portland Lions Club. He enjoys golf, fishing, softball, and is an avid fan of all sports including UConn Basketball and Boston Red Sox.

Donald H. Swanson, Sr.

Funeral assistant with our funeral homes since 2006. Lifelong Cromwell resident, graduate of Middletown High School, two years at University of Connecticut, two years in U.S. Naval Reserves and two years active duty. Family: wife – the late Barbara C. Swanson, three children, and four grandchildren. Active in Cromwell sports, recreation activities, director of Cromwell Grenadiers Fife and Drum Corps, 52 year active member of Cromwell Fire Dept. and chief from 1975-1984, member of board of fire commissioners of Cromwell for 22 years and secretary for 15 years, and member of St. John’s Church in Cromwell.

Norman W. Hicks

Funeral assistant with our funeral homes since 2011. Lifelong resident of Durham, graduate of Durham High School, B.S. in education from Eastern CT State College, M.S. in biology from Central CT State College, and P.D.A.S. from Southern CT State University. He is a retired teacher from the Guilford school system as well as a radio personality with WLIS and WCNX. Family: wife – Charlene, one daughter, and three grandchildren. Organizations – member of Regional School District 13 Board of Education, Durham Fair Association, Durham Fair Foundation Director, Church of the Epiphany, Durham Senior Board, and Durham Emergency Management.

Dancy P. Weaver

Danny has been a funeral assistant with our funeral homes since February of 2017.  He graduated Bertie High School in Windsor, North Carolina and moved to Connecticut in 1979.  He worked thirty-five years with the Town of Enfield before retiring.  Danny lives in Middletown with his wife and has a daughter and four grandchildren.  Danny loves traveling and cooking and prides himself on always having a smile on his face.

Nikole D. (Doolittle) Shultis

Design consultant with our funeral homes since 2006. She attended public schools in Cromwell graduating from Cromwell High School in 2006 and Eastern Connecticut State University in 2010. Family: daughter of Jay and Donna Doolittle. Nikole and her husband Kevin reside in Cromwell and have one daughter, Ellie. Organizations – active member of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, and active in !MPACT, an organization promoting teenage driving safety. She enjoys going to the gym, networking, and being involved with non-profit organizations.

Burleigh R. Noyes

Funeral director for 44 years, retiring in 2011

Constance (Hughes) McBrien

October 18, 1920 - November 8, 2015 

Organist with our funeral homes for 63 years.

Katherine (Sneed) Ezell

November 30, 1936 – July 23, 2006

Funeral associate with our funeral homes for 50 years.

William O. Asci

April 10, 1920 – March 20, 2008

Funeral associate with our funeral homes for 22 years.