Dolores V. DeFelice of Highland Beach, Florida, formally of Seaside Park, NJ met her awaited eternal reward on April 16, 2022, one month after celebrating her 90th birthday surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on March 14, 1932, in Highland Park, NJ, the third of four children of Angelo and Catherine Morelli. Dolores married Thomas J. DeFelice, Sr. on March 24, 1951 and together they had nine children. She was devoted to her Catholic faith, her country, and her family, and inspired her children accordingly. Tom and Dolores raised their children in Lincroft, NJ where they were founding members of St. Leo the Great Parish.
A mother for over 70 years, Dolores was indeed the family matriarch as she guided her many children and grandchildren from childhood through the trials and tribulations of adulthood. She was an active member of St. Lucy’s Parish in her adopted hometown of Highland Beach. Dolores supported many charities over her many years including Christian Brothers Academy and St. Leo the Great Elementary School in Lincroft, NJ, along with the Boy Scouts of America and many others. Later in life she was especially active with the Little Servant Sisters Of the Immaculate Conception, Atlantic City, NJ.
Dolores was predeceased by her parents and the love of her life, her husband Tom. She was also predeceased by her older sister Martha Supp, her granddaughter Julia DeFelice and her sister-in-law, Maureen Murphy Morelli. She is survived by her two brothers Louis and Frank Morelli; her dedicated children Thomas Jr. and Valarie (Gormley), North Palm Beach, FL; Bill and Jill (McVeigh), Tinton Falls, NJ; Doreen (DeFelice) Porter and Dave, Chester Springs, PA; Donald and Debbie (Benson), Lincroft, NJ; Robert, Seaside Park, NJ; Stephen and Lisa (Corcoran), Brielle, NJ; Paul and Maureen (Barrett), Shrewsbury, NJ; Melissa (DeFelice) Micheletti, Chaddsford, PA; and Donna (DeFelice) Green and Keith, Little Silver, NJ; along with 25 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven, NJ on Thursday April 21, 2022, from 3 - 8 p.m, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. and interment to follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for a donation in memory of Dolores V. DeFelice to the Autism MVP foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit (EIN number 47-3106318) that provides scholarships to future special needs educators and therapists who work tirelessly to improve social, educational and daily life skill outcomes for individuals and families affected by autism. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 365, Little Silver, NJ, via Venmo @AutismMVP or PayPal. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
