Sister Dorothy Gaffoli
August 20, 1941 ~ March 7, 2010
Sister Dorothy Gaffoli, age 68, of Orlando, FL, formerly of Penns Grove, NJ, entered eternal life after a heroic struggle with cancer on March 7, 2010 at Molinaro Manor in Oakdale, PA.
Born in Steubenville, Ohio, daughter of the late Christopher James Gaffoli (1977) and Angela Barnabei Gaffoli (1999), Sister Dorothy was a resident of Salem County, New Jersey for the past 42 years having moved to Orlando, FL in December, 2007. Sister Dorothy was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Community since 1960.
Sister Dorothy graduated from Madonna High School in Weirton, WV in 1959 and entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace on September 12, 1960. Upon completion of her Novitiate training, Sister Dorothy's first Profession of Vows was on July 2, 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
In 1963, Sister Dorothy continued her Juniorate studies in Saddle River, NJ, while attending Caldwell College in Caldwell, NJ, ultimately achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science in 1969.
Her teaching ministry began in Holy Name of Jesus School in Garfield, NJ, for one year, then was assigned to teach junior high students in St. Mary Regional School in Salem, NJ in 1965, where she enjoyed her teaching ministry for 18 years. In 1981, Sister Dorothy returned to the classroom as a student and studies at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT, thereby achieving a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph College in 1983.
In 1983, Sister Dorothy was assigned as Pastoral Minister in Corpus Christi Parish, Carneys Point, NJ, where she continued her ministry for 24 fruitful and happy years, medically retiring in 2005. In December of 2007, Sister Dorothy moved to Orlando, FL to continue receiving treatments at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center while residing with her sister, Maggie in Orlando.
In addition to her parents, Christopher and Angela Gaffoli, Sister was pre-deceased by her brother Christopher J. Gaffoli, Jr. in 1942.
Sister Dorothy is survived by her sister Margaret (Maggie) Molinaro and her husband James of Orlando, FL; her sister Edith Jane (Janie) Molinaro of Steubenville, OH; her brother Anthony J. (Butch) Gaffoli and his wife Marlene of Naples, FL; five aunts, ten nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Since it was Sister Dorothy's wish that she be buried at home, a viewing for family members and friends will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 229 California Avenue, Weirton, WV on Wednesday, March10, 2010 from 10AM to 12NOON. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated following the viewing immediately at 12 Noon.
Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton, WV.
In lieu of flowers, Mass Cards have been requested. Also, a Memorial Scholarship Trust fund has been established for great nieces and nephews of Sister Dorothy Gaffoli's family. Memorial scholarship trust fund donations may be made to the Sister Dorothy Gaffoli Memorial Fund, c/o Margaret Molinaro, 6010 Newport Lane #102, Orlando, FL 32821
Arrangements are under the direction of Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV 26062.
Share tributes with her family at www.grecohertnick.com
To the entire Gaffoli Family, Please accept our most heartfelt condolences for the loss of your sister and aunt, and our cousin, Sister Dorothy. Domenico and Gina Di Bacco and Family, and on behalf of all of the Di Bacco cousins
Dear Gaffoli Family – Please accept our prayers and sympathy for the loss of your sister and aunt. Sister Dorothy was a dear friend and special Sister. We love and miss you, Doe! – Fredericka (Emane) Lewellyn & Family
Dear Maggie, Janie & Butch & Family, My deepest sympathy on the loss of your sister and my dear friend Doe. She has been a wonderful friend to me over these past 50+ years. She was a very special person and I will miss her very much. Love, Jo
Deepest sympathies on the passing of Sister Dorothy. You are in my prayers. Lil Hamel Daughter of Lillian Barnabei Ruszkowski
Butch and the Gaffoli family Please accept my condolences on the passing of your sister Dorothy
I send my sympathy to the family of Sr. Dorothy. She was an outstanding person and my favorite nun.
We are very sad to hear of Sister Dorothy’s passing. She was a great inspiration to many including my mother Pauline Gant (passed 1992) and my father James H. Gant Sr. (passed 2006) as well as Laura Lee and myself (Jim Jr). She had a very positive impact on many lives both spiritually and physically. Her untiring efforts to support Corpus Christi parish ensured that the parish remained viable, kept the congregation a close knit group, and yet she was always reaching out to all. She was a true example to be emulated. We will miss her work and her spirit. Please know that she and her family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless
On behalf of my Aunt I want to thank you all for your wonderful thoughts and prayers. Its great to see how she touched everyone with her grace. I love my “Aunt Doe ” very much and miss her dearly-