Dolores Leon Maiorelle

On October 1, 2026, just shy of her 88th birthday, Dolores (Ramos) Leon Maiorelle of Venice, Florida passed away surrounded in steadfast love by her family. Dolores is survived by her loving husband, Nicholas Maiorelle, sister Marie (Stan) Giles of Bonita Springs Florida, daughters Elena Leon (Richard) Fulkerson of Meridian, Idaho and Maria Leon (Allen) Johnson of Apex, North Carolina, Grandchildren Dylan Kelly, Audra Fulkerson, Stellan Fulkerson, Jarod Johnson, Morgan Johnson and Jordan Johnson. In addition, she is survived through family by marriage by son Joseph (Rita) Maiorelle and their children and grandchildren, and daughter Sherri (Maiorelle) Lyle. Dolores is predeceased by her parents, Albert and Stephanie Ramos of Springfield, Massachusetts and Abaham Leon of Rotterdam, New York, her husband of over 35 years.

Born October 4, 1938 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dolores was a 1957 graduate of Cathedral High School. Upon graduation, Dolores went on to get her secretarial license and worked for an automotive dealership. In June of 1960, Dolores married Abraham (Lee) Leon and the two settled in Agawam, Massachusetts to start their family, eventually moving to Pittsfield Massachusetts, and then onto Rotterdam, New York where they settled into the community. Dolores was an active member of the PTA and Newcomers Club while remaining active raising their daughter’s and being involved in the community activities. In 1973, after receiving his own degree, Abraham encouraged Dolores to follow her dream of a college education. Attending first Berkshire Community College and continuing with Schenectady County Community College, the State University of New York at Albany and then obtaining her degree from the College of St. Rose, in Albany, New York, Dolores work diligently nights and weekends, while never sacrificing her family to obtain her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1979. Her first job post degree was with Key Bank in Albany, New York which gained experience she took with her to foster her career as she transitioned to General Electric and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory as a Contract Administrator with procurement for the Department of Energy. While security clearances left dinner conversations regulated to tame discussions, it did allow for many memorable experiences negotiating contracts for Navy Boat, Martin Marrietta, and Lockheed Martin over her 20+ year career. Initially joining to assist her public speaking development, Dolores became an active member of Toastmasters International earning numerous awards and becoming a mentor to many others.

And while her career included travel and long hours, it did not stop Dolores from continuing to be committed to her family, friends and community. Dolores was a talented seamstress, often making Holiday outfits for her and her daughters including cherished green, brocade Easter coats with pearl buttons, prom dresses and diving into furniture recovering projects that included that hideously loved, brown plaid of the 80’s. In addition to a cat or two, and a large St. Bernard named Hilda, Dolores also entertained her daughter’s penchants for snakes, rabbits, hermit crabs, lizards, fish and other non-traditional pets in the house, even allowing one friendly serpent to bask in the sun’s rays on her beloved Schefflera tree. Immersed in neighborhood activities, Dolores could also be found with best friend Diane floating in the pool and to being Hilda’s Momma during softball tourneys and water balloon fights, while fostering her family’s good spooky fun on Halloween. An avid card player, Dolores with her husband Abraham, help initiate a Gourmet Bridge Group that developed into lifelong friends who met once a month to share delicious meals and spirited rounds of bridge.

Dolores, had a wanderlust heart for travel to other destinations within the United States and globally. Road trips, camping and exploration were typical family vacations around the Northeast, expanding to National Parks are the girls became older. Upon the death of her first husband Abraham in 1995, Dolores continued to enjoy travelling with the GE Women's Group going on safari’s, eating roaches, snorkeling and riding camels. She also would engage her grandchildren with trips to Disney to sail with pirates, laugh with hyenas and eat dinner with princesses.

In 2002, Dolores was blessed to meet Nicholas, who shared her love of cards, dancing, friends and travel. Nicholas and Dolores married in 2004 on the banks of the Mohawk River, and together decided to reestablished themselves in Venice, Florida gaining another group of steadfast friends they could also call family and re-adopting her high school nick name ”Dee”. They became involved in pinochle groups, hosted themed Superbowl parties, and were introduced to other bridge players via the Venice Newcomers Association. Some of those other bridge players Dolores called upon to organize a group, known as the Divas, which started a rotational hosting of monthly card games over the last 20 years. The neighborhood pools were also not off limits to Dolores, who along with her friend Judy, started a water aerobics group that met several mornings every week to exercise and socialize. While Dolores and Nick stayed busy with friends, family and grandchildren, they both continued to explore the world together. Their travel adventures are well documented through hundreds of photos and over 60 pins on their World Map, marking all the destinations they explored together.

Dolores passed on October 1, after a recurrence of cancer and struggles with Alzheimer's. She was lovingly cared for by her devoted husband Nick and her daughters. A Celebration of Life will be held November 15, 2026 from 2-5 PM at Kays-Ponger and Uselton Funeral Home in Venice, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in her name to the Tidewell Hospice House of Venice Florida where Dolores spent her last days cared for with dignity.