Dolores Ruth Pone

The Mass of Christian Burial for Dolores Pone will be celebrated at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 5900 Oleander Dr., Orlando, FL 32807, at 11:00 AM, Jan. 21, 2017, with Father Terry Niziolek, m.s., officiating.

Dolores Ruth Pone was born Oct. 11, 1929 and died Dec. 12, 2016. She was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy and her father, both of whom died young; her husband, Michael Pone; her mother, Alice Dalton; and her sister, Patricia Palazzolo. Dolores had one living niece, Pam McCune, Oviedo, FL.

Dolores grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, the daughter of a fireman and a stay-at-home mother. She loved singing and had a beautiful voice. In fact, after some formal voice training, she performed at several New York hospitals and night clubs. She always had such great style.

Always a New Yorker at heart, Dolores was still in touch with friends there. Her good friend, Ann Petrassi, called her often as did her twin Godchildren, Paul Petrassi and Paula Jacks, who visited when possible. Dolores' Address Book was full of the names of her friends - from New York to Florida - and in between.

Dolores continued her love of music and sang at many gatherings at Avante Health and Rehab Center where she lived for over 14 years. Everyone loved to hear her sing. She was a natural entertainer. Dolores made many friends with the staff and residents of Avante. Being a very prayerful woman, many of these friends confided in her and received her love, her prayers and her wisdom in return. They all knew that she truly cared about them.

Her death was not expected as she had not been ill. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the very day before her passing, Delores attended her regular Sunday Mass and spoke with many people. It was quite a shock when, the following day, Monday, Dec. 12 at about 11:20 AM, the staff of Avante found that she had slipped peacefully away while sitting in her wheelchair. Dolores had a strong faith in God and a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. It's no wonder that the Lord took her home on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Dolores was a member of Good Shepherd Parish for many years, and her husband, Michael, was buried from there in 2002. She was a fixture at the 10:45 AM Mass each Sunday. Dolores loved to be active in her church groups and had belonged to the Paraclete Prayer Group and the OWLS (Older, Wiser and Livelier Seniors) group. More recently, she attended gatherings of her Senior Moments with God ministry when possible. In Oct. she celebrated her 87th birthday with this group and really enjoyed being the Belle of the Ball, Queen for a Day, with a big Birthday balloon over her chair. She had also set up the annual Christmas Caroling Event at Avante Health and Rehab where she lived, and on Dec. 1, she was right there with her Senior Moments with God family as we 'entertained' the residents with our Christmas Song Fest. She looked so cute in her pink Santa Hat. Little did she - or any of us - know then that in a mere eleven days, she would be taking up residence with her Lord in Heaven. As the Scripture's teach: "We do not know the day or the hour......

Despite many obstacles in her personal life, Dolores persevered and grew in holiness year by year. She was a long time member of the Workers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Inc., and spread the message of Garabandal wherever she could. The Blessed Mother is said to have appeared to four young girls in 1961 in Garabandal, Spain, with messages for the world, asking that we live good lives and show more reverence to the Holy Eucharist.

We loved you, Dolores, and you won't be forgotten. We are confident that you are at perfect peace in your heavenly home. Until we meet again, please pray to God for all of us…that when our time comes, we, too, will slip away peacefully, and awaken in heaven.

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