Dolores D'Angelo

Dolores Ann D'Angelo (née La Fratta) Dolores Ann D'Angelo (née La Fratta), of Oradell, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on October 17, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, Dolores was the beloved daughter of Italian immigrants Eugene and Philomena La Fratta, who settled in Brooklyn to build a new life and raise their family. She grew up alongside her three brothers, Paul "Cosmo", Bernard and Eugene in a close-knit household where faith, hard work, and family traditions shaped the values she would carry throughout her life. A graduate of Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, Dolores married the love of her life, Anthony J. D'Angelo, and together they built a family that became the center of her world. She treasured every moment creating traditions and memories that will live on for generations. Nothing made Dolores happier than gathering her large Italian family around the dinner table. She expressed her love through cooking and was famous for preparing meals that brought everyone together. Her homemade pizza became legendary and, according to those who knew her best, was simply the finest in New Jersey. She especially cherished the time spent entertaining loved ones at their beautiful lakefront home on Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania. Countless holidays, summer weekends, and celebrations were shared there, creating a lifetime of beautiful stories that will be shared through the passage of time. She was also an enthusiastic and loyal New York sports fan, never missing the opportunity to cheer on the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Knicks—especially celebrating the Knicks' 2025–26 NBA championship. Whether celebrating a victory or enduring a tough season, she enjoyed sharing the excitement with family and friends. For 58 years, Dolores was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Oradell, where her deep faith was evident in both her words and her actions. She faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister for more than 20 years and participated in the parish Bible study for over three decades. Her unwavering belief in God guided every aspect of her life, and she often reminded those she loved, "Every day is a gift," and "Look to Jesus." Although she often joked that this was her only "paying" job, it began with a simple act of kindness. Dolores agreed to care for Thomas and Dianne Didio's first-born son, Thomas. Over the years, the Didio’s became an extension of the D'Angelo family, and Dolores lovingly earned the cherished title of "Grandma Tommy" to their children Thomas, Nicholas and Camille. Dolores was predeceased by her husband Anthony John and her eldest child Anthony Paul. She is survived by her children, Michael D'Angelo (Joyce), Daniel D'Angelo (Camille), Robert D'Angelo (Cara), and Christine Callaghan; her grandchildren, Robbie D'Angelo (Christina), Catherine D'Angelo, Haley Kupferman (Michael), James D'Angelo (Addyson), Daniel D'Angelo (Maggie), Douglas D'Angelo (Abigail), Anthony P. D'Angelo, Kenneth Callaghan, Sean Callaghan; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Ellie, Matthew, Michael, Robert, Ava, Madeleine, Leo, Cameron, Owen, Charlotte, Albert, and Lucy. Dolores will be remembered for her unwavering faith, gentle spirit, generosity, warmth, and remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome. She led by example, teaching her family the importance of kindness, gratitude, perseverance, and trusting in God's plan. Her love was unconditional, her heart was open to all, and her legacy will continue through the generations she so dearly loved. Though our hearts are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing that Dolores has been reunited with her beloved husband, Anthony, and her beloved son, Anthony, and now rests in the eternal peace of God's loving embrace. Her family will forever cherish her memory, honor her example, and carry forward the values she lived every day. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 7th 10:00am at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Oradell, New Jersey. A private burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Dolores's memory pray a Hail Mary for world peace, a cause that was close to her heart. As Dolores always reminded us, "Every day is a gift." May we honor her memory by embracing each day with the faith, love, generosity, and gratitude that she so beautifully exemplified.