Dorothy Ann “Chickie” Ponzio (née Vare), of Southampton, New Jersey, passed away on January 27, 2026. She was 77 years old.
She was born on December 2, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived for many years in the Atlantic City and Medford, New Jersey, areas.
Dorothy was the devoted mother of Kevin Kerry Boyce and his wife, Lauren Enfield, and the cherished grandmother of Keegan Elijah Boyce. She is survived by her sister, Diane Dillon; her former husband, Jim Boyce; many extended family members, including cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as her former husband’s daughter, Jaime Boyce, to whom she was a loving “second mom.” Her beloved mother, Adele R. Hammerl Erkert, preceded Dorothy in death in 2003; her father was Charles Kolb Vare of Philadelphia, PA, and Avalon, New Jersey.
Dorothy was strong-minded and fiercely loyal, a woman who lived life on her own terms. Deeply human and resilient, she carried both strength and vulnerability, and those who truly knew her understood the depth and warmth beneath her fire. Her favorite activity was spending time on the beaches and boardwalks on the NJ shoreline. She was an accomplished Chef.
Above all, Dorothy’s greatest love was her family. Her son and grandson were the center of her world, and she took immense pride in her role as a mother and grandmother—a love that will remain her lasting legacy.
A private memorial will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to do so may consider making a contribution to assist with settling Dorothy’s estate. Donations may be made directly to her son via PayPal at paypal.me/KevinKerryBoyce or via Venmo at @KevinKerryBoyce. All gestures of support are deeply appreciated by the family.
She was born on December 2, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived for many years in the Atlantic City and Medford, New Jersey, areas.
Dorothy was the devoted mother of Kevin Kerry Boyce and his wife, Lauren Enfield, and the cherished grandmother of Keegan Elijah Boyce. She is survived by her sister, Diane Dillon; her former husband, Jim Boyce; many extended family members, including cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as her former husband’s daughter, Jaime Boyce, to whom she was a loving “second mom.” Her beloved mother, Adele R. Hammerl Erkert, preceded Dorothy in death in 2003; her father was Charles Kolb Vare of Philadelphia, PA, and Avalon, New Jersey.
Dorothy was strong-minded and fiercely loyal, a woman who lived life on her own terms. Deeply human and resilient, she carried both strength and vulnerability, and those who truly knew her understood the depth and warmth beneath her fire. Her favorite activity was spending time on the beaches and boardwalks on the NJ shoreline. She was an accomplished Chef.
Above all, Dorothy’s greatest love was her family. Her son and grandson were the center of her world, and she took immense pride in her role as a mother and grandmother—a love that will remain her lasting legacy.
A private memorial will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to do so may consider making a contribution to assist with settling Dorothy’s estate. Donations may be made directly to her son via PayPal at paypal.me/KevinKerryBoyce or via Venmo at @KevinKerryBoyce. All gestures of support are deeply appreciated by the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Ann Ponzio, please visit our flower store.
Dorothy Ann Ponzio's Guestbook
Visits: 189
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors