Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory Logo

302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Dolores Abessinio

Dolorinda Maria (LaVecchia) Abessinio, age 100, passed away on October 26, 2018. She was known to her family and friends as Dolores. She was born in the village of Buono Pane on the island of Ischia, located in the bay of Naples, Italy on February 17, 1918. Ischia is a beautiful island where the Germans and Italians go to vacation and make use of the natural spas. Her parents, Ciro and Carmela, brought Dolores at the age of 20, and her two brothers, Dominick and Johnny to the U.S. in 1938 to escape Fascism. The family was sponsored by Ernest Del Campo of Del Campo Bakeries where Ciro worked while the rest of the family was in Italy.

Dolores was employed at a shirt factory until she met and married Pio. They were married on December 28, 1939.

In the early years of their marriage, Dolores worked in her husband’s business, Pio’s Luncheonette on the corner of Eighth and Orange streets in Wilmington, Delaware. While raising six children, Dolores worked in the luncheonette and also rented and maintained apartments in order to help support the family.

The family’s home parish was Sacred Heart in downtown Wilmington where the family attended Church and school. She and her circle of friends enjoyed hosting and playing bingo at each other’s home. Dolores was extremely disappointed when Sacred Heart closed and was forever thankful to Brother Ronald Giannone for resurrecting the Church. She felt blessed to have Brother Ronald and the nuns from the Ministry of Caring visit her.

Dolores was a wonderful cook using recipes from her native Ischia as well as those from Pio’s region of Italy, Bella, Potenza, in the region of Basilicata. She would put together full meals on a moments notice as her grandchildren, working nearby, would drop in unannounced with their friends.

Dolores was predeceased by her husband Pio, her son Gino and her daughter Carmela. She was also predeceased by her parents, Ciro and Carmella LaVecchia, her brothers and their wives, Dominick (Rose) and John (Teresa) LaVecchia.

She is survived by her sons Rocco (Mary) Abessinio, Boca Raton, Florida, daughter Marie Rogers, Clifton Park, New York, son Joseph Abessinio, Wilmington, Delaware and Rita Abessinio, Washington D. C. and Wilmington, Delaware. Also survived by her daughter in law Nan Tester, Greenville, North Carolina. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Mardee (Michael) Cool, Peter (Kristen) Abessinio, Vincent (Jennifer) Abessinio and Joanne (Matthew) Fabrizio, Eric (Kimberly) Rogers, Angela (Hunter) Dale and Michael (Paula) Abessinio. Her fifteen great grandchildren, Lauren, Anna, and Michael Cool; Paige and Lillian Abessinio; Rocco, August, Francis and Johnny Abessinio; and Luca, Roman and Verona Fabrizio; Nathan and Avery Rogers and Westray Dale. She also leaves behind a number of nieces and nephews that were close to her.

Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dolores’ name to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 or online at https://ministryofcaring.org/how-can-you-help.

 

Send a Condolence Light a Candle Send Flowers Print Out Obituary

Funeral Services

 

Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dolores’ name to the Ministry of Caring, 506 N. Church St., Wilmington, DE 19801 or online at https://ministryofcaring.org/how-can-you-help.

 

Condolences

    Anna Marie Stewart lit a candle and writes,
    My deepest sympathy to you Rocco, Frannie, Marie, Joe, Rita and family. She will be forever missed. I know she will be watching over her family and in spirit she will always be with you. I love you, Aunt Dolores, and will miss you very much! R.I.P. Your Niece, Anna Marie
    10/29/2018 08:00 am
    Barbara Bernard (Bobbie Peet) lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Joey, Rita, and Rocco -- You obituary for your Mother is truly a wonderful tribute to a wonderful woman. I often think of our childhood times on Eleventh Street, and the strength of your parents to provide such a loving home for their children. Even as a kid, I was very aware of how hard and long your parents worked to provide education for/and nurture their children. While attending your mother's birthday celebration at the Columbus Inn, I was so thrilled to learn that my favorite bakers from the "Open/Closed" Bakery near the Academy of Medicine Building, was owned by Mrs. Abessinio's two brothers !!!! All of us from the American Cancer Society went there often, and loved the two men who made such fabulous Italian goodies. I send you my deepest sympathy, and great affection for your entire family.
    10/29/2018 11:45 am
    Wendy Dunmire writes,
    Blessed to have known Grandmom A. She treated all of the extended family as if they were her own and was exactly what you would picture an Italian grandmother to be. I felt very honored to have been invited to a few of her lunches-sooo much better than the ACS cafeteria food. Best coffee ever at her house. Grandmom A will be missed but thankful she knew who Jesus was and that we will see her again. Hopefully there is baking in heaven ❤️
    10/29/2018 06:39 pm
    Marcia writes,
    My greatest sympathies goes out to the family. I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you find great comfort in your precious memories as well as in God's promises for the future. Revelation 21:3, 4
    10/30/2018 04:56 am
    Carmela and Tom Leipold lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Rocco, Frannie, Joe, Marie, and Rita. So very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing away. And to the rest of the entire family, She loved you all so very much and know how much you all will miss her. Our sympathies are with you all. I have so many happy memories and loved spending time at Aunt Dolores and Uncle Pio’s house, when I was little. We will miss you Azia Dolores and know in Spirit, you will be around everyone. Rest In Peace ❤️ Your Niece, Carmela LaVecchia Leipold and Husband Tom Leipold
    10/30/2018 07:58 am
    Mary Ellen Morano writes,
    So sorry for the loss of your mom.
    10/30/2018 12:06 pm
    The Serpe Family lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Abessinio Family, Our deepest sympathies to your family for the loss of Dolores; we have so many happy memories of her. We wish you hope and comfort during this difficult time, she will be truly missed. Regards, The Serpe Family
    10/30/2018 03:44 pm
    Ronald P. Sabbato writes,
    We served in the DE Army National Guard in the 60's. Wonderful aobituary for your Mom, so sorry, she probably worked at the shirt factory with my Mother in Law Dorothy Van Sice. These unforgettable people were the salt of the earth in their time. God Speed!
    10/31/2018 11:35 am
    Michael T Episcopo writes,
    Rocco and Mary, My condolences to you and all your family on the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful caring woman from a wonderful caring family. God Bless All of You Mike
    10/31/2018 01:37 pm
    John Romagnoli lit a candle and writes,
    We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
    11/01/2018 12:44 pm
    Debbie Breznitsky writes,
    Joe and family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Hold on to the great memories that she has given you through the years. She will always be with you in spirit. Debbie
    11/02/2018 12:50 pm
    Ronald Jones old D/R mgr. Forwood lit a candle and writes,
    Always enjoyed Carmela’s and your Moms company Remember once had server whom spoke Italian-would send him with meals-she came alive when talking with him Great obituary-great lady Ron
    11/04/2018 10:40 am

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

When you "Light a Candle" the candle image is posted with your condolence.

Thank You

Your online condolence will appear once approved by our site administrator.