Dolores Morale

Florence Dolores Morale was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 27, 1943, to Frederick John Sayers and Martha Mary “Mattie” (McCoy) Sayers. Frederick returned from military service (U.S. Army, Airborne Division) to find that his young daughter was being called Dolores by her mother, and she was known to all as Dolores throughout her life. She was joined by her loving brother, Ronald (U.S.A.F.) and sister, Janet. Her family moved to Hollis, Queens and then to Central Islip, where Dolores participated in Glee Club, graduated from High School and was recognized as “Class Clown.” Dolores met her first husband, James “Jim” Giglio, while in High School, and the two were married shortly before her 18th birthday. She gave birth to her first child, “Jimmy,” before she turned 19, and her second child, Michael, 5 years later. During this phase of her life, she was a devoted homemaker, with unwavering devotion to her parents, siblings and their families, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and children, in whom she instilled values of compassion and service, her silliness and offbeat humor, and her love for music (soul, blues, classic rock—she was always eager to cut the rug and could carry a tune). Her devotion to friends—including her sons’ friends, many of whom considered her a “second mom,” and to neighbors was remarkable. She returned to the workforce at the Long Island Lighting Company, where her father and brother worked, and rose to the rank of customer service manager. After her first marriage ended she maintained an amicable relationship with her ex-husband and close relations with his family.

Dolores remarried in 1989, to Joseph Morale, and became stepmother to his children, Joey and Sal. She enjoyed sharing laughs with Joe and his large family, and her greatest joys included travel, gardening, and her pets, especially Kenzy, her Papillon dog. She became a grandmother and was blessed with four beautiful granddaughters who were her pride and joy. She often acted as a loving caretaker for Mike’s children. Each granddaughter bears the stamp of her love of silliness, her wit, and most of all her deep compassion for others. A fantastic and enthusiastic cook, her home was the favored meeting place for family celebrations for many years, as her mother’s home had been before hers.

Dolores was diagnosed in mid-life with multiple sclerosis and suffered flares of that chronic illness throughout her years. She rarely complained, and was reluctant to accept assistance from others, fearing that she would become a burden to them. She found strength in her Catholic faith and community in St. Joseph’s Parish, where she proudly served as a Columbiette for many years and sang in the Choir. Her faith gave her the courage to face her diagnosis of inoperable cancer, and in her last weeks she frequently spoke of reuniting with her loving mother.

Dolores will be remembered by those who loved her for her quick wit, her zany humor, and most of all for her selfless devotion to others.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; her son Jim and his wife, Paula and granddaughters Rebecca and Sophia; her son Michael and granddaughters Anna and Ocean; her brother Ron; stepsons Joey and Sal; and loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National MS Society mssociety.org