Addolorata “Dora” Pellegrini, 85, passed away peacefully Friday morning, November 11th, 2022 at Valley Regional Hospital.
Born in Molfetta, Italy in 1937, Dora emigrated in 1967 to Hoboken, New Jersey with her late husband, Vincenzo Pellegrini. Although she left Molfetta, Italy, her heart and traditions never did.
A small but mighty force to be reckoned with, Dora never strayed from her routines and traditions, cold cuts, bread and bocconcini from Losurdos Brothers, seafood from Sonnies, medication from Frank at Willow Pharmacy, and shopping at Lord and Taylor in New York City.
Dora demonstrated her love in everything she did. As a stay-at-home mother of three boys, she volunteered her time as the lunch mother at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, in Hoboken, New Jersey, and as she got older, she dedicated her time to the Padre Pio Prayer Group at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, in Hoboken.
Dora embraced all that is a Nonna, she loved to prepare her Sunday dinners with “simple” ingredients, she never said good-bye without slipping you some money and she never showed up empty handed, often carrying in bags of Italian cookies, olive oil, Italian sweets and all sorts of cheeses. Dora would always welcome her guests with a meal regardless of the hour.
Dora taught us the true meaning of loving simply. Just as her delicious meals were uncomplicated, with simple ingredients, so was the love she blessed us with. Love simply with no conditions. “Non ti preoccupare” she would say. With a wink, and a squeeze of your cheeks, she made things okay. As we walk down Willow Ave and turn one last time, there she is waving from the window. Ti voglio bene!
Dora is predeceased by her husband, Vincenzo Pellegrini, sister Maria Rossati, and brother, Domenico Centrone. She leaves behind her brother Mauro Centrone, his wife Anna. She leaves behind her three sons, Joseph Pellegrini and wife Maria, Leo Pellegrini and wife Kimberly, and Victor Pellegrini and wife Dominika.
In addition, her heart was full by her four grandchildren, Jason, LexiAna, Juliana, and Luca. Dora also leaves behind numerous cousins and friends she has enjoyed spending time with, talking to and who helped her tremendously as she continued to live independently in her apartment. Lastly, Dora leaves behind the two dogs she learned to love, Cocoa and Marci.
Visitation will be held at St. Ann’s R.C. Church in Hoboken on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 beginning at 9AM and concluding at 11AM. Followed by Funeral Mass.
Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum in North Arlington, NJ.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.