Dolores Grupp

Donations to Covenant House in memory of Dolores in lieu of flowers are preferred. 

Dolores Ann Grupp passed away at her home in Uniondale New York on October 8, 2020, at the age of 86. Dolores is the loving wife of Joseph O. Grupp Jr. from whom she was inseparable for over 66 years of marriage; and loving mother and mother-in-law to James (deceased) and his wife Kathy (nee Kregel), David and his wife Virginia (nee Lillich), Paul and his wife Cathy (nee Mauro), Peter (deceased), Kathleen and her husband Steven Perry, Anne-Marie and her husband Robert Conn, and Thomas and his wife Deborah (nee Pryer). Dolores is also the loving grandmother to 17 grandchildren, and great-grandmother to eight great-grandchildren.

Dolores was born on March 16, 1934 to Frank Marone and Mary Elizabeth Melillo. She was sister and half-sister to Ronald Marone (deceased), Linda Carlin (deceased), Leonora Cicio, Frank Marone, Jr. PhD., Barbara (Bunny) Marone, Ricky Marone, and Risa Marone (deceased).

Dolores was dedicated to her family and loved celebrating and sharing birthdays and other milestones such as christenings, graduations, showers, weddings, grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, school plays, etc., and just getting together with family for no particular reason at all. She never missed a family event or milestone if she could help it. If there were two events on the same day and she could not make it to both, she would attend one and Dad would attend the other, as she felt it was important to have her or Dad present at each event. She knew everything going on with our far-flung family, and was the central point of contact for news, not only about the immediate family, but the extended family, former coworkers, and acquaintances that she had connected with over the years. She was also the memory bank for the family history, with many stories that made us laugh or helped us understand who everyone was and the connections to the family. Family, like her devotion to the Catholic Church, was the most important things in her life.

Dolores was an avid outdoors woman and birder. She loved hiking and camping, in particular she loved the glow and warmth of a campfire at night under the solitude of the woods and mountains and the millions of stars above. In the summer of 1990, when she was in her mid-50s, Dolores and Joseph hiked/backpacked the entire 211-mile John Muir Trail in the backwoods of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. A full month on the trail, sleeping under the stars and enjoying what she loved most, nature and Joseph. Dolores was small in stature and did not appear to be the athletic type, but she had a strong heart, inner strength and perseverance that allowed her to overcome physical fears and doubts to achieve her goals. She loved the outdoors.

Dolores, along with her husband Joseph visited all 50 states of the United States, sometimes staying in hotels, and other times camping and/or hiking and visiting national and state parks of interest, and at times chasing bird species for her lifetime list. Dolores and her husband Joseph spent most of their summers camping with their grandchildren. From the time each grandchild was 5- or 6-years old until they were juniors in high school, they spent a 3 – 4 days camping with their grandparents, starting at North/South Lake in the Catskills and culminating with a week camping in Yellowstone National Park; providing her grandchildren with unique experiences and memories that are part of their lives forever.

Dolores was a nurse in her younger years while raising her family, and a teacher’s aide for special needs children for over 15 years in the Uniondale School District. She was also a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader for over 10 years.

Dolores was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and was a graduate of St. Domenic’s High School in Oyster Bay, New York. She had a love for the Holy Week masses and services. Each birth, christening, confirmation, and marriage was of importance to her spiritually as well as a celebration. Sunday mass was the center of her faith, attending it even in her travels where possible, as well as attending weekday masses on special family occasions and other times of importance to her. She relied on the Blessed Mother, especially in hard times. Her faith was strong and centered on the mass.

Dolores’ life evolved far beyond any expectations of her and her husband’s younger days. Despite some tragedies, her life was full, faithful, rewarding and full of love. We are comforted by knowing that she will always be looking down on us and providing us with strength and guidance in our journey through life. May she rest in peace.

Donations to Covenant House in the memory Dolores Grupp are preferred in lieu of flowers.

www.covenanthouse.org

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