It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother at age 97 on Friday, September 4, 2020. She was the beloved wife to the late Joseph Polito; and devoted mother to Joe (Nancy), Penny Holden (late Edward), Bob and Sal (Jeremy).
Dorothy was the cherished grandmother to Leslie (Dan), Mark (Stephanie), Darcy (Richard), David (Melissa), Danny (Kristen) and Steven. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Reese and Ryder, Jacob and John, Kate, Jane and Emily, Troy and Sydney, and little Esme. She will be fondly remembered by Julia and Kieran and their sons Atticus and Bennett.
Dorothy is also survived by her sister-in-law Yolanda, wife of the late Charles Cira. She is predeceased by her brothers, Joseph (Helen), Sal (Irene), Vince (Eleanor), Peter (Gertrude), and sisters, Mary (Jack Sgarlata), Agatha (John Altilia), Margaret (Frank Calderone). ‘Auntie’ Dorothy will be dearly remembered by her many nieces and nephews from both the Polito and Cira families.
Mom was our role model. She was a kind, generous and humble individual who was always considerate of others and helped those less fortunate than herself. She always inspired us to be our best selves. She loved organizing family events and was happiest when we were all together enjoying one of her wonderful Italian meals.
Mom was curious and well-informed and loved to discuss world events, politics and economics. She was a skilled Bridge player and she enjoyed playing a variety of card games with her family, friends and grandchildren. We are comforted knowing how fortunate we are to have had her in our lives. Our mother will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A special “thank you” is extended to her devoted caregivers. In the interest of health and safety, a private family service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Some additional thoughts about mom:
Her personality is captured by a line from My Last Duchess by Robert Browning ... "She liked whate’er she looked on, and her looks went everywhere."
Her parenting principles were to demand only that we try our best, and practise the Golden Rule.
She was the kind of parent that a child needs as described in Saving Hope episode 3: Blindness "To be seen. It's all we want. From the moment we take our first steps. 'Look at me, Mom. Look at me, Dad.' Tell me I'm going to be okay. Tell me that someone cares about me. Tell me that we're in this together. And that you're going to get me through."