Dolores (Dory) Ann DeFeo, 93, of Toms River New Jersey, passed away on April 21, 2026.

Born on July 31,1932, and raised in Pelham, New York, Dolores is predeceased by her parents Joseph & Pasqualina Cioppa, brother Thomas Cioppa (Louise Devine), and husband Modestino Rocco (Rocky) DeFeo.

Dory and Rocco were married May 29, 1955, and raised four children, Doreen (Timothy Gilroy); Patti (Stephen Baldini), Stephen (Lisa Bontempo); Joseph (Therese Lederer). She delighted in her eight grandchildren, Alix & Stephen Baldini, Christine (Todd Humphrey), Laura, Michael & Maria DeFeo, Abraham & Pasqualina DeFeo, and two God children; Joseph DeFeo (Connecticut), and Jean McCullough (Rhode Island). Dory went by many names, Dolores, Dory, Dor, Big Dor, Mom, Aunt Dor, Grammy, and Grandma among others.

Dory lived in many places while her husband was in the Navy including Memphis, Tennessee, Corpus Christi, Texas, North Kingston, Rhode Island, and Virgina Beach, Virginia before landing on Brookside Drive in Toms River, New Jersey in 1966 until she passed.

Dory held a strong Catholic faith and belief in God and raised her children in the Catholic tradition. She had a particular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Anthony, who she affectionately referred to as Tony. She had a knack for making all feel welcome, using her gift of cooking and love of conversation to bring family, friends, and even strangers together.

Dory’s greatest love was for family. From her biological family, to the one she married into, as well as many “adopted” daughters, sons, and grandchildren, she counted all of them as part of her family. In particular, Trudy & Charlie Frericks, their children and grandchildren, all adopted her as their own, tending to her needs, and giving mom such love and joy as only family can do.

While the list is long, other family and extended family members particularly close to her were her sister’s in-law Louise (Weege) Cioppa (deceased) and Florence DeFeo (deceased), her “second son” Kevin Kearney, and “clerical sons” as she called Fr. Joseph Farrell (deceased), and Fr. Joseph Muth, and dearest friend, Toni Kiah, and neighbor, Mary Estelle. These, their families, and so many more were all considered part of mom’s family.

Visitation Service for Dolores will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, and Mass of Christian Burial, Tuesday, May 12,10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. Burial will take place, Wednesday, May 13,10:30 am at Arneytown Veteran Cemetery, Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) at breakthrough1d.org/newjersey and the American Cancer Society 99 Route 37, Toms River, NJ 08755 at donate.cancer.org