Dorothy ‘Dode’ De Fiori

Dorothy ‘Dode’ De Fiori, was born in Danville, Illinois on September 10, 1929. She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Wiese and stepfather, Carl Wiese. Dode was married to her husband Brigadier General Victor De Fiori for 60 years, until he passed away in June 2013.

Dode attended St. Patrick’s Grade School, Danville High School in Danville, Illinois where she lettered in sports and music.

Dode is a graduate of St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana where she met her husband, Victor, a law student at the University of Notre Dame, the love of her life. She received the Chemistry award at graduation from St. Mary’s. She attended Graduate School at Austin Peay State University and earned a teaching certificate in Math and Chemistry. She taught for 10 years in Fairfax County Schools, Northern Virginia, while Victor made a career of the US Army. They were stationed in Tokyo, Japan for two years, Orleans, France for three years, and Heidelberg, Germany for three years among many other military assignments in San Antonio, TX, Leavenworth, KS, Fort Campbell, KY and the Washington, DC area. As they traveled the world, their family grew to eight children.

In Heidelberg, as a volunteer, Dode was a counselor on the Army Community Board representing the PTA, American Schools, and Army family communities. In recognition for her work with American School principals, she was honored with a scholarship in her name. She also helped organize a much-needed lunch program for the Elementary and Middle schools.

On their return to the US, the family moved to Columbia, SC, where Victor became the Associate Dean for the USC Law School. Dode was an active participant in many of the university volunteer groups. In Columbia, Dode and Victor joined St. Peter’s Catholic Church, now the Basilica of St. Peter. She volunteered with many ministries in the church: Bereavement, 5-0 Club, Sodality, and the Rosary.

She and Victor enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and visiting their children and grandchildren. She was also very active in the Columbia Bridge Club and became a Bronze Life Master.

Dode De Fiori is survived by their eight children, Vic De Fiori, Jr. of Gulf Shores, AL, Mark (Janet) De Fiori of Cypress, TX, Kathy (Rick) Leone of Ocean View, DE, Terry Kennon of Oak Island, NC, Julie (Jeremy) Olson of Boerne, TX, Steven De Fiori of Columbia, SC, CeCe (Jeff) Moody of Freeport, FL, and Gina Mohler of Franklin, KY; nineteen grandchildren, Joshua, Christie, Chris, Matthew, Monica, Cassie, Kim, Kristin, Julia, Keith, Allen, Shelli, Jessica, Starrlyn, Christina, Sydney, Cece, Michael, Gemma; and twenty-five great-grandchildren, Brittnay, Joshua, Noah, Anthony, Summer, Aiden, Lyla, Ava, Hailey, Caleb, Cole, Kaelynn, Harper, Brycen, Avelyn, Mia, Peyton, Ruth, Robyn, Theodore, Cleo, Jameson, Winnie, Caitlyn and Baby Lott; and one great-great grandchild, Baby Holm.

Many thanks to the offices of Dr. Steven Madden and Dr. Erik Crook and their staffs for the outstanding medical care Dode received during her illness. This past year, we are so grateful to McLeod Home Care and Amedisys who provided much needed compassionate care and support to Dode with caregiving, home health, and hospice services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the The Basilica of Saint Peter, with burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with visitation following from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Basilica of St. Peter Catholic Church Endowment Fund, 1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201, https://www.visitstpeters.org/ or the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/.