Dorothy was born on September 6, 1948 to Anthony and Ruth Rocco (Bain) in Trenton, New Jersey. She grew up in the Birch Valley section of Levittown, PA with her two brothers, Tony and Frank Rocco. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966. During this time, she met the love of her life, Joseph Mormello, who was her neighborhood paperboy.
After spending their high school years together, Dorothy and Joseph got married in July of 1967. Shortly after, they welcomed their first daughter, Christine Marie. They then moved to Davenport, Iowa, where Dorothy worked to support her family while Joseph went to college. After her husband graduated college, they returned back to Levittown where she helped her husband to open his own Chiropractic Clinic. During this time, they welcomed two more children, Heather Lynn and Joseph Wayne. Dorothy spent her days raising her three children and contributing time to her husband's successful clinic. The family enjoyed spending their winters skiing in the Pocono Mountains and their summers at their home in Cape May, New Jersey, where they eventually retired to. Dorothy’s life was enriched when her children blessed her with nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Dorothy’s beautiful soul touched the hearts of everyone she met with her infectious smile and loving heart. She lived with a positive and patient outlook and always put others before herself. Dorothy loved the holidays and loved having her entire family together. She enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, cooking and making homemade perogies with her grandchildren. She especially loved the summers, when the family would visit her home in Cape May. Here they would enjoy their time at the beach spending quality time together. She always had something fun planned for the grandchildren such as lemonade stands, scavenger hunts, relay races, and any other shenanigans she had up her sleeve. Family and faith were the most important things to Dorothy who was also Roman Catholic who maintained a strong faith and love for the Lord.
Dorothy will be dearly missed and forever loved by her family which include her husband, Joseph Mormello, her three children, Christine Klimowicz (John), Heather McGarigle (Sean), and Joseph Mormello (Loree); nine grandchildren, Brian (Ashley), Taylor, Melissa, Macy, Michael, Lily, Colin, Joey, and Leah; three great-grandchildren, Luke, Carson and Owen; brother, Tony Rocco; and brother-in-law, Dr. Douglas Mormello (Lynn); as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorial gathering will be held for Dorothy on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a service at 12:00 p.m. at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.
