Dorothy Lamendola
April 30, 1928 - August 19, 2022
Dorothy Lamendola passed away in the early hrs. on August 19th and received into the arms of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. Constantly surrounded by her daughter Jeannine, grandsons Gilbert & Michael, granddaughter Justina, and son-in-law Larry. Born April 30, 1928, in Phoenix, Arizona to Dorothy J (Petty) & Freddie Roarke and raised by mother & stepfather Charles Parker. As a young girl she traveled to every state in the union, attending schools from Denver, CO, Bakersfield, CA, Trenton, NJ, Miami, Fl and settled in Pittsburg, CA. She met and fell in love with Michael Angelo Lamendola and soon after married on 5/8/44 which lasted 70 yrs. Started their family of 4 children, Michael (Linda), John (Sharon), Carole (Steve Kerr) & Jeannine (Larry Ford). They were known to be the youngest family in California and possibly in the US per a SF examiner reporter with having 4 children by the age of 20 yrs. old. The family continued to grow now having numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She is predeceased by husband Michael Angelo, granddaughter Carrie L.
When Jeannine started day care, she began her career, starting with Clackston White GE Store, Los Medanos Hospital, Western California Canneries, and finishing her long career with Pittsburg, Martinez and finally Antioch Unified School District when she turned off her calculator and computer and retired in 1990, as the payroll accounting technician for classified employee’s. During her employment her son Michael started Jr. College and realizing all her children are now married and on their own, she decided to go to college with him earning an AA degree and walking across the stage the same night her son received his degree, all while working at a full-time job. Ironically, during her job at AUSD, she worked alongside her daughter Jeannine with no one knowing until her retirement.
Determined to” not let the moss grow under her feet”, she became a tour escort for Martinez Senior Center traveling all over the country. She, along with a group of AUSD retirees initiated the CCC School Employee CSEA Retiree Chapter #5003 of which she was President for 10 yrs. She was a lifelong member and Past Grand Regent of the Pittsburg Chapter of Catholic Daughters of America. A member of Young Ladies Grand Institute of Pittsburg (Teresita #123) & Antioch #101 for well over 60 yrs. helping raise monies by holding Bingo, Bunco, and Bus trips. She also designed YLI aprons which members now wear. She was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, held the position of treasurer of Retired Public Employers Association No 069. She was a member of US Bocce Federation and played in Pittsburg, Antioch, Martinez, entering tournaments all over the bay area and Peppermill Casino. Known as the “troublemakers” on the courts. She took many cruises to Alaska, Caribbean and traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and wherever her heart desired. Need I mention, Casino’s was one of her favorites. She was quite the book reader and had a book fairy that dropped book off at her front door. She loved working crossword puzzles daily.
The past several years she was cared for by her daughter Jeannine who stayed close by her side as her health failed her. She was the most kind, generous, loving, and devoted mother one could have. She gave her all whenever someone needed a helping hand. She mentored many students with work ethics and advice. Her work motto “go to work, put in your 8 hrs., get your paycheck and it will take care of you”. Forever grateful to American Legacy Residential Care Facility, to their staff of caregivers, for their gentle, loving care of my mother through the final days of her life.
Donations can be made to Breast Cancer Society or to St. Ignatius of Antioch Building Fund in her memory.
Services are as follows at St. Ignatius of Antioch, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch, CA 94509
9/1/22 visitation 5pm – 7pm Prayer vigil will begin at 7pm
9/2/22 visitation 9am – 10am, Mass at 10 am with reception to follow and committal after reception at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2200 E. 18th Street, Antioch, CA 94509.
