Doria Guadagnoli

Doria was born on March 7, 1936, in the small town of Cansano, in the shadow of Mount Maiella in Abruzzo Italy. The middle of three children to Rocco and Angela DiGiacomo, she grew up alongside her brothers, Giulio and Peter, and spent her childhood in Italy during the Second World War.

Her life changed forever when she caught the eye of Luciano Guadagnoli and from that moment, he was in love. The two married in 1954 and with courage and hope for the future, crossed the Atlantic on the ocean liner, Christoforo Columbo, to Brooklyn, New York, where they began building their own American dream.

Their family soon grew with the birth of three sons, Germano (Jim), John, and Daniel. Mom’s parents and younger brother Peter eventually joined them in America, filling their home with the family and traditions she cherished. In 1969 they moved to Secaucus, New Jersey, where they were blessed with their daughter, Maria, and bought their first home, experiencing Americana firsthand through 4th of July parades, drive in movies, backyard barbeques and kids in high school.

In the early 1980s, mom went from devoted homemaker to a successful career in the fashion distribution industry dealing with brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, eventually rising to a managerial position, and becoming a mentor to many. With her lifelong love of fashion, she was in her element. Those who knew her best affectionately called her “Sophia,” after Italian film star Sophia Loren, reflecting the elegance, beauty, and unmistakable presence she carried wherever she went. But if you asked mom what she was most proud of, it was her family and children; her “four diamonds,” as she’d say, naming them in order, followed by, “I’m so lucky you’re mine.”

She and Luciano had a unified goal: to give their children educational opportunities they themselves had never been afforded growing up in rural Italy. From medical school to master’s degrees, their children’s futures always came first.

Mom’s kitchen was the heart of her home and singing Italian songs was her joy. The table was rarely empty, friends and family were always welcome, and there was always something to eat—whether you were hungry or not. Countless stories, celebrations, and memories were shared around that table, usually accompanied by her unmistakable enthusiasm and laughter. Her sons, daughter, son-in-law, and daughters-in-law, and nine grandchildren came to love her deeply, and she cherished her magical role as Nonna! Her son Daniel honored her by naming his eldest daughter after her, ensuring that Doria’s name would continue into the future.

Mom’s later years in retirement, after the loss of our beloved father Luciano, included more time with family, travel to her beloved Cansano and a wonderful relationship with her dear companion Tony Basso, before eventually moving closer to her son Jim and wife Laura in Connecticut. One of her greatest joys was becoming a great-grandmother to James and Adrian Guadagnoli.

This past March we celebrated mom’s 90th birthday surrounded by the family and extended family she loved so dearly. She was radiant and happy—exactly where she had always been happiest: surrounded by the people she loved.

Doria’s life was one of family, faith in the future, hard work, laughter, style, generosity, and an abundance of love. She carried the spirit of her Italian heritage with her wherever she went, built a life in America and filled with the people she loved. Her children were her jewels, her family was her greatest joy, and home was wherever the people she loved were gathered.

She leaves behind a family forever shaped by her strength and warmth, and a lifetime of memories that will continue to be told around kitchen tables for generations to come.

Doria will be interred in her hometown of Cansano in a family chapel. All are welcome to visit if you happen to be in Abruzzo. As she’d say; come and visit me anytime!

Dora is predeceased by her husband, Luciano and her son, Germano, (Laura). She survived by her children: John Guadagnoli (Joanne), Daniel Guadagnoli (Kristi), Maria Passalaqua ne Guadagnoli (Frank). Her nine grandchildren: Lucian (Ola), Lydia, Livia, Aurora, Audrey, Doria, Frank, Danny and Daniel. And her two great grandchildren, James and Adrian. All of whom will carry her memory and her love with them always.