Dolores Monteleone

February 14, 1931 - October 18, 2011

Dolores Marie Van Pelt Monteleone

Dolores Monteleone, of the Greens at Cannondale, formerly of 42 Hunting Ridge Lane Wilton, passed away peacefully on October 18^th with her children by her side.

Born in Jersey City, she was the daughter of the late John and Julia Keighron Van Pelt and the wife of the late Joseph Patrick Monteleone. She is survived by five children, Joanne Irons, wife of Karl Irons of Pagosa Springs, CO; Joseph John, partner of Karin Begg of Towanda, PA; Jude Ann Monteleone of Weare, NH; Christopher Peter Monteleone, husband of Andrea Monteleone of Landing, NJ; and Patricia Julie Anne Butler, wife of Scott Butler of Easton, CT; five grandchildren: Zachary and Blake Irons and Grace, Olivia and Elizabeth Monteleone; and four step grandchildren: Brittany and Shane Butler and Tyler and Jessica Begg.

Dolores grew up in Jersey City, attending St. Dominick Academy and Lincoln High School. After eight years as an employee of the Colgate Palmolive Co., Dolores gave in to her great passion for music and became a vocalist during the Big Band era. She met and married Joseph Monteleone in 1955 and over the next ten years gave birth to their five children. Following Joe’s corporate climb, the young Monteleone family lived in Lynbrook, Long Island; Akron, Ohio; Ridgewood, New Jersey; and Huntsville, Alabama before settling in Wilton, CT. in 1965.

As a Wilton resident, Dolores devoted her time to community events, especially the ones involving music. Dolores was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, the Ladies Guild, and an associate of the Sisters of Mercy. Dolores and Joe celebrated their 50th anniversary in June of 2005 just months before his death that October. In 2008, Dolores moved to the Greens at Cannondale where she particularly enjoyed performing in the Trackside Talent Show.

Dolores was known as a generous, kind soul, whose heart and house were open to practically everyone. While music was her passion, her family was always her priority. She loved entertaining and in her younger years, her house was often filled to the rafters with extended family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends, and an occasional stranger or two. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome and important.

Even as her health steadily deteriorated during the last decade of her life, Dolores maintained her wonderful sense of humor and a generally positive outlook. Her immediate family, extended family, and numerous friends will all miss her immensely.

Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Ave, Norwalk, CT will host viewings from 3 PM to 5 PM and from 7 PM to 9 PM on Friday, October, 21^st. The funeral service for Dolores Monteleone will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 225 Danbury Rd Wilton, CT at 10 AM on Saturday, October 22nd followed by a graveside service at Hillside 70 Ridgefield Rd. Wilton.