Dorothy Margaret Volpe, 101, passed away peacefully at home on January 2, 2026, joining her beloved husband, Paul, in eternal rest.

Born on July 15, 1924, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Dorothy was the only child of Martin Dolan and Marie Gelschleicter. As a child, she loved tap dancing, listening to radio serials, attending movies with her uncle, and sledding down the biggest hill in town. The day after graduation, the ever‑adventurous “Dottie” left for Baltimore, MD, where she worked as a legal secretary. She often recalled hearing WWII troops being moved to ships in Baltimore’s harbor through the tunnels beneath the city.

After a short return to Wilkes‑Barre, Dottie moved with her father to Long Island and quickly secured a position with a legal firm in the heart of Wall Street. She loved the excitement and pace of New York City and frequently reminisced about a special New Year’s Eve spent in Times Square with her father.

Despite her love of big cities and the adventure they offered, fate brought Dottie back to her hometown — just in time to reconnect with a high school classmate, Paul Joseph Volpe, who had recently returned from serving his country during WWII. A friendly hello led to a dance, which led to a date, and after a year‑long courtship, Paul and Dottie were married on September 19, 1946. They settled into a home just a few blocks from Paul’s parents and spent the next 18 years expanding both their house and their family, welcoming a son, Paul Jr., and two daughters, Linda and Tina. 

In 1964, the family moved from Pennsylvania to Poughkeepsie, NY, when IBM hired Paul. Although Dottie was a busy mom and homemaker, she always made time for her passion for sewing. With that talent — and a natural eye for interior decorating — she not only created beautiful clothing but also crafted throw pillows, curtains, and other pieces that made her home warm and inviting. Never one to sit still for long, she also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, silk floral arranging, crafting, shopping, gardening, and reading. She loved socializing with family and friends and took great joy in entertaining at home.

After Paul retired, they spent several happy years as “snowbirds,” wintering in Holiday, Florida, and vacationing throughout the country. When their grandson, Zach, was born, they sold their Florida home to ensure they never missed a moment of watching him grow. Still, Dottie’s enthusiasm for travel never faded. She was always ready to explore new places and revisit old favorites. At 85, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Italy with her daughter Linda — and just a month later, she was off to Las Vegas.

Dottie was deeply loved and admired for her joyful spirit, her zest for life, and her unwavering devotion to her family. These qualities shone brightly when family and friends gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday in 2024 — and again when they were blessed to celebrate another milestone with her in 2025. She lived life to the fullest and inspired everyone who met her to do the same.

Dottie is survived by her son Paul Volpe, Jr., of Poughkeepsie, NY; daughter Linda Roland and husband Steve, of Closter, NJ; daughter Tina Volpe, of Poughkeepsie, NY; and grandson Zachary Roland, of Closter, NJ; along with extended family members across the country. She was predeceased by her parents, Martin and Marie Dolan, and her husband, Paul Joseph Volpe, Sr.

Friends and family may call at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home at 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY, at 11 a.m.  She will be laid to rest at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Route 9 in Poughkeepsie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Hudson Valley Hospice.