From Dee’s Cousin JoAnn:
Dearest Dolores - I can't begin to tell you how sad I am of your passing into Heaven. Although I know you are now at peace with God and all your loved ones, and your pain and suffering are gone, which I am extremely grateful for, I will miss you terribly!
Although we are cousins, most of our lives we lived in different states, we (myself, my wonderful husband, Joe, and all our immediate family) remain bonded by blood and a mutual respect and love, and always looked forward to our phone calls and visits whenever one of us were able to call or visit the other.
When you and Marylin were babies, my mother, Aunt Lucy (your father, Gene's younger sister), or Aunt Ooshie (as you both called her at that time) was very much a part of your lives and was very much missed by both of you during the 14 years my family lived in W. Va.
I still remember the first time I met you. My family had moved back to N.J. and we were only living here for a few months, and at 11 years old I was very insecure and unhappy about being dragged from all my friends and home to live in this busy, crazy State of N.J. not knowing anyone, except for my mother's sister, Aunt Nettie, Uncle Danny, and their wonderful children, who were kind enough to share their home with us for a few months until we could get set up in our own apartment; when you and your wonderful sister, Marylin came to visit spreading a ray of sunshine and laughter on my entire family. During that visit you both continually called by mom, Aunt Ooshie, and the 3 of you would laugh this contagious laugh so hysterically, my father, George; Brother, George, Jr.; and sister, Lucille and I would join you in hysterical laughter, and you would then tell us funny stories about your lives that kept the laughter going. All of a sudden, I didn't feel so lonely and upset about the move. I had even more family around me!
My sister and I loved you both so much and felt so close to you that we chose you two to be our Sponsors when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation the following year. I was so happy and proud to have you as my sponsor and even chose your name to be my middle name. I was so excited and anxious to fill out the paperwork that I thought I knew how to spell your name and misspelled your name on the paperwork - Delores instead of Dolores. Once I learned I had misspelled it and tried to change it, I was informed it was not possible without going through a lot of work and money and therefore it remains as is. Boy was I disappointed and you, of course, made a joke about it and didn't seem to mind and all of a sudden it was OK.
I also remember when I learned you were moving to California - I felt devastated thinking I would never hear from you or see you again - and then Marylin and her family moved also - boy was I sad. But I learned that when you truly care about someone distance doesn't matter. You find a way of staying bonded which is just what we all did!
We were total opposites - even though I have a deep faith in God, somehow I was always too serious, worrying about everything and you would call or come in spreading a ray of sunshine and laughter with all your stories of all the positive and silly things in your life, even sharing details of your times spent with your wonderful dedicated family and friends, fun, exciting occasions and trips and all of a sudden I was laughing hysterically and everything was OK.
The example of the way you lived your life, making the most of every minute and dwelling on all the happy times whether it be at home or traveling taught me so much, and because of your example, I was able to live my life very differently and joyfully. I can never thank you enough for this! What a Blessing both you and Marylin were in our lives. Again thank you sooooo much for everything!!! Rest in Peace my beautiful cousins!!!
Your loving cousin, JoAnn