Obituary of Dora Carolyn Arabante

Dora Carolyn Arabante was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 26, 1925 to Peter and Carlotta Rolandelli. Dora was the youngest of four siblings, Catherine, John, and Edward. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel School. On June 6, 1948, Dora Rolandelli married Louis John Arabante. They were married for 64 years. Dora and Lou grew closer with each passing year and were rarely seen apart until Lou's death in March, 2012. Several years ago Dora told her family that she had met her life goals. She wanted to be a wife, a mother and create a happy home for her family. She achieved that and was proud of all she accomplished. Dora and Lou had three daughters, Celeste, Joan and Maria. Celeste Curley and her husband Lance, live in Middletown, Delaware. Joan died when she was nine days old. Maria Matano and her husband Glenn live in Wayne, NJ. Celeste and Lance, Maria and Glenn are married 50 and 40 years respectively. Their parents taught them how it was done! Dora loved her grandchildren and their significant others. She often repeated their news and welcomed their visits with special treats and carefully planned outings. Her grandchildren include: Joanna Curley (Matawan, NJ), Christina (Curley) Garro and James Garro (Haddon Twps., NJ), Jaimie (Matano) Esteves and Richard Esteves (Lincoln Park, NJ), Nicole Matano and Domenic Negrotto (New York, NY) and Peter Matano (Denver, Co.) They were her greatest joy and are her lasting legacy.Dora is also survived by three great grandchildren: Julian Kempf, Aiden and Paul Esteves. Dora's time, attention, and love reached out to her extended family. She dearly missed her sister Cate since her passing, and talked of her often. She loved her nieces and nephews – Kay, George and Danny - as her second set of children and the activities of the "Zazzali clan" were always part of her fondest thoughts. Dora loved to dance. She was a life-long devotee of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. She was a good cook and enthusiastic baker. Her embroidery skills were exceptional. Dora was a people person. She was happiest when her family celebrated life's triumphs together. We will take her in our hearts for all the celebrations ahead, and wear green often, in her honor. Visiting hours will be Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 2-5 PM. Friends may gather on Monday at 9 am at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, 1799 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne and will be Celebrated by Fr. Michael D. Lombardo. Interment will follow in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org