Dolores Joy Cagenello Martocchio was born on October 18, 1927, daughter of the late Salvatore and Elsie (Holtz) Cagenello. She lost the love of her life and best friend Emilio Francis Martocchio on December 22, 2015, and has finally been reunited with him forever.
Dolores is survived by daughter Linda Hart and son-in-law Joe Hart, sons James and wife Janet Krawski Martocchio and John and wife Christine Pasborg Martocchio; grandchildren Katie Hart, Alison Hart LeBlanc and husband Matthew, Daniel and wife MaryBeth Hart, James and wife Lisa Boyle Martocchio, Laura Martocchio Boss and husband James, and Sara, Jennifer, Jill and Karen Martocchio and 11 great-grandchildren. Dolores is also survived by brothers Donald and Maryanne Cagenello, Bruce and Dody Cagenello, Bradley and Dale Cagenello. She was predeceased by her brother Robert H. Cagenello.
Dolores graduated from Weaver High School in 1945, where she met and fell in love with Emilio (Moe) Martocchio. She was a member of the marching band, and tiny as she was, managed to play the tuba alongside her dear friend Irene Calabro. She was also an unofficial cheerleader for Dad on the cross country team.
Dolores and Moe dated from their junior year in high school. They continued their courtship through daily letters during World War II, while Moe was in the Army Air Force and Dolores was attending Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. They married as soon as possible September 1, 1948, upon Dolores’ graduation from Nursing School. They enjoyed a beautiful marriage for 67 years.
Dolores lived a very full and happy life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always an excellent listener and dispensed advice confidently. She was a wonderful entertainer, enjoyed partying and hosting family gatherings as well as soirees for friends. She loved shopping, especially for clothes, and she wore them beautifully. She always had the most remarkably white sneakers around. She was an impeccable housekeeper with a hospital-clean home. Dolores coordinated high school and nursing school reunions. In fact, on October 2, she hosted two of her nursing classmates, Alice and Alma, for lunch at her Atria home in Farmington. For years, she organized the show bus from Hopmeadow Country Club to New York City to attend Broadway Musicals. She always enjoyed an excellent book, movie, and golf or a good show on TV.
Most of all, Dolores loved her time spent with Moe. They golfed and traveled extensively together. She never stopped laughing at his dry sense of humor, and they always had fun together. They wintered in Ladies’ Island, Beaufort, SC, for over 20 years. They were charter members of Hopmeadow Country Club and members of The Country Club of Farmington for over 30 years.
Dolores was an inspiration with her optimistic attitude, abundance of energy, and fun-loving outlook on life. She along with Moe epitomized positive attitude, respect and caring for others, hard work and play, and above all, the importance of family. She was our matriarch in every sense of the word and will be truly missed.
Many thanks to her family at Atria of Farmington. The feeling of love was mutual. Thanks also to the wonderful team at Seasons Hospice and the CNAs who helped care for her.
Calling hours will start at 1:00 PM followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 19th at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation or Seasons Hospice. Please visit her “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.