Aurora D'Amico

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to the Aurora Martinolich D'Amico Medical Fund - Homeward Trails Animal Rescue | Pet Adoption in VA, DC, MD

https://www.mightycause.com/story/Auroradamico

Aurora, beloved wife for 38 years of Blaine. Most important to Aurora were her family, friends, cats and her work. She was beloved by all who knew her.

Aurora dedicated 40 years to her work at the US Department of Education which was very important to her.

As Peggy G. Carr, Ph.D.

Commissioner

National Center for Education Statistics wrote in her tribute...

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our valued colleague Aurora D’Amico. She started federal service in 1981 and moved to NCES in 1986, and her work ethic was infectious until her last day at work. Aurora was well loved by the staff at NCES and by those external to NCES who interacted with her. Even though she was eligible for retirement in 2007, she enjoyed her work and working with her colleagues so much that she continued working. She was always kind and would go out of her way to note people’s help for her or to highlight their accomplishments. She would send her supervisors notes about how great her colleagues were. People loved working with her as well. She had a strong and positive relationship with researchers, data users, and the press. Aurora constantly received notes from data requestors about how helpful and timely she was.

She would put in extra time to help the press meet deadlines regularly, sometimes to the chagrin of her supervisors who were always trying to keep up with her and make sure she was rewarded for her work, and got some rest!

She is survived by her caring husband, Blaine, whose dedication to her was admired by everyone who knew them. Aurora loved her cats as well and recently adopted two of them. She would regularly share stories and photos.

I encourage you to comfort each other during this time of significant loss to our NCES family, especially those in the Sample Surveys and Longitudinal Studies Division who worked most closely with Aurora for many, many rewarding years. We will miss her deeply."

The family of Aurora D'Amico invites you to contribute cherished photos and videos for meaningful keepsakes, including movies, stationery and memory books.

Aurora has loved animals all her life. While she was primarily a cat lover and was caretaker to many cats over her life, she donated to save the lives of many other animals. From dogs abandoned in Afghanistan, to horses abandoned after their racing career had ended.

Angel was Aurora's darling. Then came Harmony and Peace of Heaven. POH passed from FIV so Peace of Mind came into our lives. After Harmony and Peace passed, Aurora moved from buying purebred cats to rescuing cats about 20 years ago. We drove down to North Carolina to rescue our first cat, Happy, from a kill shelter on the day before he was to be euthanized. The moment we walked in the door, Happy jumped up to greet her. He slept in her lap for the 6 hour drive back. That day we also transported 2 other cats to a rescue group in Richmond.

Then came Mimi with her tiny paw (a birth defect they thought) who hopped like a rabbit deep into Aurora's heart. We rescued Spirit and Joy (brother and sister) next. Spirit and Happy were great pals until Happy passed to the Rainbow Bridge. During the Covid-19 pandemic Spirit died then Joy about a year later. So we were without cats. That's when Aurora found Homeward Trails.

She wanted a bonded pair and came across Patches and Tuck who we adopted and rechristened Mercy and Glory. Both had teeth that needed removal which Homeward Trails paid to have done. Glory is an absolute angel and stole Aurora's heart. Mercy is more mischievous but extremely loving. We were grateful to have them both.

Aurora made many donations to Homeward Trails before she passed and would smile down from heaven on anyone who follows suit and donates in her name. As a lasting memorial we have chosen to sponsor the Homeward Trails medical fund which will be named the Aurora Martinolich D'Amico Memorial Medical Fund.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Aurora Martinolich D'Amico Medical Fund - Homeward Trails Animal Rescue | Pet Adoption in VA, DC, MD

www.mightycause.com/story/Auroradamico