Dolores Josephine DiMauro

Josephine “Dolores” DiMauro passed away on July 25, 2026, at age 85, surrounded by her loving family. She brought warmth and life to every room she entered, a woman whose kindness, warmth, and unwavering love touched everyone she met. Dolores was born on May 17, 1941, to the late Josephine (Siracusa) Gionfriddo. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gioacchino “Jack” DiMauro, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage at the time of his passing. She is survived by her son Thomas and Lisa (Marshall) DiMauro of Eastham, MA; her son John DiMauro and Corinne Finnegan of Vernon, CT; her daughter Kathleen (DiMauro) and Brian Farrell of Middletown, CT; and the grandchildren who brought her such joy as she watched them grow: John Matthew and Ashley (Knowlton) DiMauro, Thomas DiMauro, Josephine Hannah Farrell, Joseph DiMauro, and Brian and Grace (O’Brien) Farrell. Most recently, Dolores welcomed her first great-grandchild, Brian Joseph Farrell IV.Dolores was a kind and loving person who always placed others before herself. She was a natural-born caregiver. Dolores loved spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, but nothing brought her more joy than her grandchildren, who lovingly named her Wawa. Whether she was caring for them, playing with them, cooking for them, driving them, or cheering them on, she loved being part of their lives. Time together as one big family was especially meaningful, and their yearly trips to Cape Cod were always an adventure. Her grandchildren even taught her how to boogie board in the ocean. She played beach games, cooked for backyard barbeques and was a master at playing cards. She brought happiness and love to every room.She gave her children and grandchildren her whole heart, offering them unconditional love and unwavering support. She was a role model to us all, showing us through actions how to love deeply, support one another, and seek to make those around her happy. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of love, respect, and devotion to family lives on in each of us, and we will carry it forward into the world.She lived in Middletown for most of her life and attended Middletown High School, where she was a majorette and was voted “Most Class Spirit.” That same spirit carried into her life, especially at her grandchildren’s sporting events and theater performances, where she was their biggest and loudest cheerleader. Dolores was playful and had a wonderful sense of humor, driving her to participate in the 1960 Miss Middletown Pageant where she performed a pantomime. After high school, she worked for the telephone company and met her husband, Jack, on a blind date arranged through her best friend, Josephine DiMauro Russo, who was Jack’s sister. Dolores devoted herself to caring for her family as a stay-at-home mother, creating a nurturing and loving home for her children. When she later returned to work, she served as secretary at St. Sebastian School, where her children attended, allowing her to remain closely connected with her children. Later, she worked for Riverview Hospital for Children, where she remained until her retirement in 1999. Dolores loved to be involved; she took classes at Middlesex Community College to further her skills as a secretary, volunteered at her church, coached cheerleading alongside her sister-in-law, Josephine Russo, and also worked yearly for the church feast, served on various committees and helped her daughter with the CCD program. Dolores loved having lunch with her friends and playing Pokeno with her friends at the IACO, where she was a member.Dolores was also predeceased by her brother, Salvatore Gionfriddo; sister Rosemarie Gionfriddo; sister and brother-in-law Angelina & Judson Hart, sister and brother-in-law Jeanette & Joseph Lagana, sister-in-law Judy Gionfriddo and sister-in-law & brother-in-law James and Josie Russo. She leaves behind her brother, Emanuele Gionfriddo, sister-in-law Eleanor Gionfriddo and many nieces and nephews.The family wishes to express a heartfelt appreciation to Sara Davis for the exceptional care and support she offered. Her professionalism, empathy, and dedication made a profound difference in Dolores’s life, and we are truly grateful for the joy she brought her. We also would like to thank the caregivers and nurses at Live Well for their kindness, compassion and dignity that they brought to Dolores and her family. We are also grateful to our extended family and friends for their many words of love and support.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held @ 10:00 a.m. on Sat, Aug 1, at St. Sebastian Church, 155 Washington Street. Burial will follow at the family plot at St. Sebastian Cemetery Road in Middlefield. Relatives and friends may call at D’Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main Street, Middletown, on Fri, July 31, from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Sebastian’s Church Renovation Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.