Dolores I. Merrell

The lifelong Staten Islander was born and raised in New Brighton and graduated from Curtis High School.

She moved to the Sunset Hill area of West Brighton in 1965 and settled in Grasmere in 1990.

Mrs. Merrell attended Hunter College, Manhattan, and the College of Staten Island. She received her medical certification from Manhattan Technical School for Radiological and Laboratory Technicians and worked as an X-ray and medical laboratory technician at the former Sailors Snug Harbor, Livingston, and Staten Island Hospital, Tompkinsville. She retired on disability in 1965.

She was a member of the Ocean Breeze AARP, the Grandmothers Club of Staten Island and the Arrochar Friendship Club. She also was the Curtis High School Class of 1949 alumni liaison.

Mrs. Merrell had studied dancing as a girl and loved to dance in her earlier years. She also enjoyed cooking. But she most loved taking care of her grandchildren and spending time with them. She also enjoyed the company of her son-in-law, Gerard (Jerry) Ruggiero.

She was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, and a former parishioner of Church of the Assumption, New Brighton.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years, John W.; her daughter, Lori Ruggiero; two brothers, Vincent and Charles Navarino; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.