Dolores A. DeVito

Dolores DeVito, 78, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2022 from a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 25, 1943 to Angelina (nee Feminelli) and Michael DeVito, Dolores was one of a kind, and her generosity of spirit and kindness will live on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends.
Dolores grew up in Brooklyn, with her parents, Angelina and Michael, and her sister Justine. She was a top student at St. Augustine's Grammar School. She was a pianist and church organist. She went on to Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School where she played the French horn in the orchestra.
Dolores was a trailblazer. Despite being just one of a few women in the College of Business Administration at St. John's University, she was elected Student Council president. She was hired by one of the world's largest accounting firms, but not as an auditor because at the time they would not hire women on the professional staff. She was selected to learn programming and became a systems analyst.
Despite this structural gender discrimination, she worked her way up to being a director there. The prominence of this role was something she was not boastful about, but for her to have risen to that level at that time is a testament to her intellect and ingenuity. Her clients were around the country, and around the world. She spent years flying out on Monday mornings and returning home on Friday nights. She spent time in many cities – from Nashville to Nairobi and many places in between.
Dolores was a faithful Roman Catholic. At St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, New York, she was an active parishioner for nearly three decades and served as head usher and on the Liturgy Committee. She enjoyed bible study and prayer group.
Dolores's commitment to the community extended to her service on the Board of Directors at the Rosa Lee Young Childhood Center in Rockville Centre, New York. She cared for her fellow Board members, the staff there, and most of all the children, who she was committed to helping flourish during their precious early childhood years.
Dolores was also an accomplished baker, having studied baking at the New York Institute of Technology. Her generosity of spirit was shown to so many through her fantastic baking skills that she shared with family and friends. Dolores's cookies – like Dolores herself – are unforgettable.
Dolores is survived by her sister Justine Tenney, brother-in-law James, nieces and nephews Michael and Amy, Amy Tenney Curren and Dave Curren, and Lauren Tenney, and the light of her eyes, her grand-nephew and grand-niece Andrew and Caroline Tenney Curren. She is also survived by many more loving cousins and a host of long-time friends. She was predeceased by her loving parents Angelina and Michael DeVito, her beloved cousin Barbara Rotunno, and her young cousin Vincent Lucchese.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the organizations below. They all held a special place in Dolores's heart and life mission.
St. Agnes Cathedral Outreach
St. Agnes Cathedral Music Ministry
Rosa Lee Young Childhood Center