November 23, 1935 – June 19, 2023

Dorothy J. (DiMarzo) Montalto, of Somerville, passed away on June 19, 2023, she was 87. Born and raised in East Boston, she was the daughter of the late Catherine (Giardullo) and Romolo DiMarzo. The beloved wife of the late WWII United States Navy Veteran Peter N. Montalto, she was the devoted mother of Joseph P. Montalto and his wife Nancy of Framingham. A cherished “Auntie to All,” she was especially close to her nieces: Dorothy DiMarzo and her wife Lynne Lenoir of Somerville, Karen Chase and her partner James Forde of Billerica and her late husband Michael Chase, and Susan Haley and her husband Shon of Litchfield, New Hampshire. She is the loving “Grandmother” to Alyssa and Kayla Chase, Justin and Matthew Haley. Dorothy is survived by her sister-in-law, best friend, and devoted caregiver, Roberta DiMarzo of Somerville as well as many more nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly. She was the dear sister of the late Anna Salsgiver, Ida Storniolo, Catherine Bardaro and Nicholas DiMarzo.

Dorothy enjoyed cooking for her large extended family, taking care of her grandchildren as they grew up, attending their school concerts and annual music competitions, and reading and writing in her journal daily. Auntie was an expert in cooking and her many Christmas Eve dishes have been passed down from generations, so when she asked for seconds, it was her stamp of approval. She could be found enjoying breakfast everyday with her family and friends at Kelly’s Diner in Somerville or the Donut Villa in Malden. She loved listening to Johnny Mathis and all her Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox. She was a master of the “poker face” playing cards or bingo and was the official Pac-Man Champion and Centipede expert in the family.  Above all she delighted in time spent with her family. They are comforted by her own words in her journal, “It seems I saw you holding my hand” in one of her final journal entries talking about how much she cherished her family. Auntie has touched so many of the lives around her through her love and acceptance of all and infectious laugh and her presence will be missed.

Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Monday morning, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  followed by a Funeral Service in the Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, Everett at 12 p.m.

Relatives and friends invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s memory can be made to via check to Circle Camps, PO Box 782, Watertown, WI 53094 or online via https://support.circlecamps.org.