Good morning,
Among our gathering today in addition to our New York friends and family, we have family from California, Colorado, Texas, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania to honor our cherished Mom, our Nana and your Aunt Dolores.
What a life! It wasn’t always easy but I think she would agree it was a great run. Dolores bore seven children, welcomed 16 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Mom persevered through the hard times creating a multitude of memories for each of us along the way.
In addition to motherhood, Mom was passionate about her chosen profession, a true vocation. She was a dedicated and brilliant nurse. Even as a child she was a caregiver to her family who suffered through typhoid and scarlet fever. Her father died in her arms.
Mom enjoyed a close friendship with Mother Marie Albert and would frequently step in to support her in caring for her suffering parents so she could attend mass, run errands or just needed a break.
Mom went back to school when she was 38 after having seven children. She graduated from Fordham Hospital School of Nursing at the top of her class. She loved her job as Director of Nursing Services at the College of New Rochelle’s Infirmary.
Mom treasured her car – her wheels as she called it and after retirement was out on a daily basis to visit family and friends or just driving for sheer pleasure. She knew every back road and shortcut for miles around. She bought her very first car in the late thirties. It was royal blue with her name Dolores printed across the side in bright yellow – now who does that?!
Mom always enjoyed a good meal with good company. She was a wonderful cook and often hosted large family dinners with her crowd-pleasing spaghetti and meatballs, chili or a gourmet meal made from leftovers.
She loved traveling. Making several trips to California, Colorado, and even made it to Texas right after 9-11 when very few people were flying. She had the time of her life in Spain with her son Carter and dearly loved Rosa. She loved retelling all about her adventures like riding a camel in Morrocco. Once on a visit to Colorado she went off on her own and we later discovered she took a short jaunt to the top of Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet , the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rockies.
Mom loved a good laugh and was quick with her own comments/slant on life. Once she was having lunch with her daughter who was complaining as we age our skin begins to loose muscle tone and hang like curtains. Mom turned to her, lifting her arm proclaiming “Curtains?! That’s nothing, I’ve got a full set of drapes!
Mom was a scrabble player “extraordinaire”. Over all the many games we played I only won a handful. She attacked the game with relish and determination. She could total the score in her head faster than an adding machine. She could never really fathom why as a child I had such a hard time learning the multiplication tables.
At Nana’s 100th birthday celebration, I prepared a presentation overview of her life. I thought my delivery was spot on and immediately following the entire recap of her life, she turns to me with a smile on her face and says very loudly – “What did you say?
Mom lived life to the fullest – through two world wars, two pandemics, the depression and 19 presidents. God blessed us with her zeal for life, her goodness, and fortitude. I could never capture Mom in these few words. She taught us by example – if you get knocked down, you get back up again and continue on. That a strong faith will get you through anything and a few added Hail Mary’s won’t hurt either and its not what’s on the outside but what’s on the inside of a person that really matters. Thank you mom for all your sacrifice and for your indomitable spirit. She loved each and every one of us.
God promises us immeasurable joy in heaven. Mom has earned that joy, to be welcomed in the arms of our Lord, surrounded by her family, husband Bernie, son Carter, daughter Bernice, best friends Aunt Agnes, Uncle Bill, and grand nephews Michael and Eddy and all her family preceding her.
We love you Mom. God Bless You.
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