Dolores "Dee" Jean Stringent

“Heaven just gained a remarkable soul—Dad took her by the hand and led her into the Best Dance of their Lives, Forever & Always.” Dolores (Dee) Jean Stringent, Beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, cousin, sister-in-law, Aunt & friend, received her angel wings in peace, with grace and dignity on March 3rd, 2021 in Norfolk VA. She was born in Johnstown, PA on July 21, 1934 and was a parishioner of St. Clare of Assisi Parish. She is preceded in death by her father George W. Young, mother Angeline B. Young & Beloved husband of 43 Years, Ernest (Ernie) A. Stringent. She is survived by her children and their families. Daughter Chris Solanic, son-in-law Tim Solanic, son Daniel Stringent, daughter Mary Angela Stratton, son-in-law Christopher Stratton, grandson Francis Stratton, step-grandson Erin Stratton and his partner Samantha Ives. She will be dearly missed by her constant-companion fur-babies, “Angel-cat” Bodhi & “Love-dog” Bocce. According to her wishes she will be cremated at Hampton Memorial Gardens Crematory in Hampton Va. There will be no visitation or services. She will be interred at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Johnstown at a later date, to her final resting place with adored & long-missed husband Ernest. (Ernie). Dee was graduated from Bishop McCort HS, was a majorette & played girls basketball where she earned the nickname “Butchie.” Her Dad also called her Butchie, as she was very much a Daddy’s Girl & they adored each other. Later she was Dee, Momma Dee, Miz Dee, & Aunt Dolores, depending on who was addressing her! She attended Mercy Hospital Nursing School but due to illness had to leave her studies. At age 24, she met Ernie, it was love at first sight and in 6 months they were married. While raising 3 kids, Dee had a long career at Acme & Riverside Markets—a thoroughly modern woman in the 60’s & 70’s. At age 55, she was graduated with honors from Johnstown Vo-tech’s LPN program and went on to a distinguished 13-year career in nursing at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital. She was born to be a nurse! She moved to Virginia Beach VA in 2002 after Ernie’s death to be near her children and their families. Retired from nursing & not one to sit at home, she chose to work full-time at Forbes Candies as their much-loved Gal Friday for 13 years. She finally retired at age 83 in 2017. In 2011 she moved ‘up the road’ to Norfolk to be a live-in “Granny-Nanny” to the light of her life, grandson Francis. (Frankie) She was his “Gran-Dee”. A voracious life-long reader, she instilled the love of books in her kids and her grandchild. She was an excellent cook, known for her tea-tarts & Hershey Bud bon bons at Christmas & weddings and her hand-breaded pan-fried broccoli at family reunions. She loved sending Hallmark cards to her kids & many nieces & nephews, who all loved their Aunt Dolores. She never forgot a birthday! She loved dancing of all kinds & danced for the USO in her youth. She performed a routine that included a back-flip off the drum-kit! In her 80’s, she made many great memories attending performances of Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre & Broadway’s Dirty Dancing—she cried tears of joy as the curtain came down saying “it was the best show I’ve ever seen.” Dee was crazy about sports, a die-hard Steelers fan, dressed to the nines in black & gold, waving her ‘terrible towel’ as she watched the games. More memories made attending several live Steelers games. She followed Golf, Ice-Skating & Olympic Gymnastics with a passion & knew all the players & skaters on a first & last name basis. She was positively determined, brave, & fiercely independent, especially as she got older. Her loss is devastating to both her immediate and extended family, yet we are comforted to know she is dancing with Ernie, reunited with “grandpap”, drinking endless pots of coffee & playing cards with her long-lost loved ones in spirit. She’s our Brand-New Power-Angel & will watch over us with the same loving care she always has. “Shine On, Mom & send us some hearts & daisies! We love you, Always & Forever”.