January 10 2020: DeLUCA, Dorothy Louise

Dorothy Louise DeLuca (Age 91)

Dorothy DeLuca born on August 2, 1928 in Bentleyville, PA, a longtime resident of Wheaton, MD, peacefully passed away on January 6, 2020 at the age of 91. Beloved wife of 51 years to the late Joseph DeLuca; loving mother of JoAnn (Barry) Frazier, Nita (Kevin) Knighton, Joe (Barbara) DeLuca, Gina (Randy) Modesitt, John (Annabell) DeLuca, Dorothy (Tom) Belcher, Ruth (Frank) Jenkins and Charlie (Lisa) DeLuca; proud grandmother of Brian, Brad and Ben Frazier, Shannon, Shawn and Sheana Knighton, Matthew, Joe and Theresa DeLuca, Christopher, Buddy and Jamie Modesitt, Robbie Sofley, John Michael and Jenna DeLuca, Cory, Joseph and Katelyn (Benton) Belcher, Collin, Amanda (Seested), Casey and Cody Jenkins, Ashley (Delashmutt) and Brittany DeLuca; also survived by 28 great-grandchildren. Sister of the late John Tokar, Mary Watkins, Betty Tokar, Martha Squitero, Knute Tokar and Irene Mazza, and aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Tuesday January 14, and Wednesday, January 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine Laboure Church, Veirs Mill and Claridge Roads, Wheaton, MD, on Thursday, January 16, at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, followed by a celebration of her life at Knights of Columbus, Rosensteel Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice Casey House, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.

 

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OBITUARY:

Dorothy L DeLuca, wife of the late Joseph Raymond DeLuca and daughter of the late Anna and Joseph Tokar, grew up in Bentleyville, PA, where her family owned and operated the very popular Tokar’s Restaurant.    Dorothy learned at a very young age how to socialize, dance, cook, and most importantly, how to give of herself to others.

She came to the Washington, DC area to help her sister-in-law ‘Carmie’ who owned a beauty salon.   It was there that she fell in love with this area and was asked again to help her sister ‘ Marty’ when she went on maternity leave.    It was because of this gift to talk that she met a friend at work who set her up on a blind date, and that is how she met the love of her life, Joe DeLuca, and never returned to live in Bentleyville. Thus began their love story. Within six months she was married and ready to start her family.      Dorothy had eight children – JoAnn Ruth (Barry) Frazier, Nita Louise (Kevin) Knighton, Joseph Raymond (Barbara) DeLuca, Gina Marie (Randy) Modesitt, John Frances (Annabell) DeLuca, Dorothy Louise (Tom) Belcher, Ruth Elizabeth (Frank) Jenkins, and Charles Roger (Lisa) DeLuca.  Her children blessed her with 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren whom she adored.  Her family meant the world to her and were always her first priority.

When not fully immersed in the raising of her family, she took on many volunteer roles for organizations such as Cystic Fibrosis, School PTAs, church and school fundraisers, Camp Fire Girl troupe assistant, and cared for children of parents in crisis.  She enjoyed her role with the local National Democratic Party and on several occasions had the opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention.  She was actively engaged in several clubs which were dear to her heart, specifically the Roma Lodge Women’s Auxiliary, bowling with her Catholic friends, and later in life she could be found down at Holy Cross Hospital working in the basement to unpack and stock the shelves of the gift shop.

Dorothy also worked very hard outside of the home.   After moving from Bentleyville, PA, she worked at St. Paul’s Mercury Indemnity Insurance Company, Lucia’s Italian Deli, and was the hostess at Pop’s Pizza in Wheaton, MD, where she could be found every Friday and Saturday evening greeting guests and meeting and making new friends.  In her spare time she watched over the children in the neighborhood. (At the height of the sixties, there were some 99 children on the street, and she was known to bring the hibachi out late on a summer’s night to cook hotdogs for those children still out playing and enjoying the beautiful weather.)  She was both a disciplinarian and a strong beating heart to all of the children, and they truly idolized her.

Dorothy was an extraordinary cook and loved entertaining.   She could take a Sunday family dinner, holiday celebration, or dinner party and turn it into a five course meal, on her own, and over the top.     Everyone who had the opportunity to enjoy a meal hosted by her was always ready to be invited back or look forward to the next opportunity to enjoy her company.

In retirement, Dorothy and Joe spent their time between Berlin (Ocean City), MD and Silver Spring.  It was at the beach that she was able to share her home with her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and extended friends who were now family.  She had a love of the ocean breeze, seafood, and relaxation.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her siblings, John Tokar, Mary Watkins, Elizabeth (Betty) Tokar, Knute Tokar, Martha “Marty” Squitero, and Irene Mazza.

She will be sorely missed by her family, many friends, and relatives.