Dina Rose Tomei

She was born November 21, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan, to Angelo and Adelina (Ricci) Bottoni, both immigrants from Italy to America in the early 1900’s.

In 1937 she met Mario Tomei at a picnic, and in 1940 they were married. Dina went to live in Windsor, Ontario,Canada with his family while Mario served in WWII. They enjoyed a devoted marriage for 72 years,until Mario’s passing in 2012.

By 1946, Mario and Dina, along with several friends and family members, migrated to Burbank, CA. They helped to build St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and were original members of Branch #102 of the ICF (Italian Catholic Federation). This branch is highly regarded for its role in preserving and relocating the Mother Cabrini Chapel in 1973.

In 1950, Mario and Dina were blessed with the birth of their firstborn son, Richard, and by late 1951 their son, James. Only after James’ birth did the three Bottoni/Massucci/Tomei families split up from living in a 3-bedroom home in Burbank into two separate, neighboring homes. After Angelo’s death in 1960, Adelina continued to live with Mary and her family. Every get-together at these homes became a treasured memory. Besides delectable dinners, desserts and Mario’s homemade wine, fun card games and crazy shenanigans were often involved; even washing dishes became part of the merriment.

Besides raising their sons, and assisting Mario in his Meat Market/Grocery Business, Dina held many positions within the ICF organization and Keystone Seniors, and worked as a Bookkeeper at a Party Time Retail Store. Throughout the 1970’s and until the 1990’s, Dina successfully choreographed ICF Tarantella Folk Dancers in performances around the Los Angeles area. They even performed at the Villa Scalabrini Retirement Home where she was lovingly cared for from 2019-2026. Mario and Dina loved to play Bocce, were active Bowlers and avid travelers, taking several cruises and trips to numerous countries.

Her precious soul was certainly welcomed into the Kingdom of God, and will forever be missed by those that knew her on this side of Heaven. As we reflect on the life of this remarkable woman, may her spirit reside with each of us.

Dina is preceded in death by her parents, Angelo and Adelina (Ricci) Bottoni, older sisters Dina Rose Bottoni and Mary Josephine (Joe) Massucci, and husband, Mario. She is survived by sons Richard (Anne) Tomei, James (Jean) Tomei; grandchildren Angela (Mark) Thornhill, Nicole (Ken) Tomei, Patrick (Jhasmyne) Tomei, and Nathan Tomei; great-grandchildren Cooper Tomei, London Thornhill, Oliver Tomei, and Juliet Esmele-Tomei; Nephew Carlo Massucci, Nieces Linda Costanzo, Linda (Mike) Polsinelli, and Lorretta Venir.

In lieu of flowers, her family humbly requests donations to Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center in Sun Valley, CA.