Dorothy M. Tarallo

Dorothy Tarallo (1940 -2025)
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy M Tarallo (Willson). Dorothy died peacefully at her home in Mount Vernon, NY on July 27th, 2025 after an extended illness. Dorothy was born in The Bronx, NY on July 20, 1940 to Tyler P. and Dorothy J. Willson (Ziegler). She grew up in The Bronx, NY, attending PS 103 and graduated from Evander Childs High School in 1958. After graduation, Dorothy worked as an Administrative Assistant for Emigrant Savings Bank in New York City.
She married John V (Jack) Heidgerd on November 7, 1959 and soon thereafter had children; first John Tyler Heidgerd and then Karen Margaret Heidgerd, all while living in Yonkers NY. Dorothy and Jack divorced in 1965 and she returned to live in the Bronx with her two children. As a single mother of two, Dorothy took care of her young children, working part-time for the Kresge Corporation, then returning to full-time work as an Executive Assistant at the Yale Club of New York and then at Kensington Publishing Company also in New York City. She commuted into Manhattan for over 30 years before retiring in 2008.
In June 1975, Dorothy married Anthony J. Tarallo of Mount Vernon, NY, still residing in the Bronx, NY, then moving to Yonkers, NY in 1986. Dorothy and Anthony were married 30 years, before Anthony's death in 2005.
Dorothy found great joy in being a grandmother to Tyler Heidgerd of Elmsford, NY and Davin Heidgerd of Tucson, AZ. She enjoyed playing with her grandsons, and shopping with them as they grew up. She also did volunteer work for many years as a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bronx NY.
Dorothy loved seaside vacations and relaxing by the water's edge. She spent most of those vacations on Cape Cod or on the North Fork of Long Island. She was known to spend long days reading, listening to the waves and enjoying the sea air. She had a love of birds, especially sea birds, and enjoyed fresh seafood from shore restaurants and good wine from the local vineyards.
In 2015, Dorothy sold her home in Yonkers and took residence at Lohman Village on the grounds of the Wartburg Community in Mount Vernon until her death.
Dorothy is survived by her son, John (Ann Marie) of Souderton PA; daughter, Karen (Deborah) of Yonkers NY; in addition to grandsons, Tyler and Davin; dear friends Barbara Perez, Robert Nevins and John Verhoff, as well as a brother, Arthur Willson (Josephine) of Brewster NY. She also had a pet dog, Mia.
Burial will be private at the request of the family. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be scheduled for a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wartburg Chapel by following this link and asking that the donation be designated toward spiritual care. https://wartburg.org/donate/