Dorothy Helen Bologna, 87, passed away peacefully at her home at The Tribute at Heritage Village assisted living facility in Gainesville, VA on February 8, 2017. Born in Manhattan, NY on September 8, 1929, daughter of the late Gerolamo and Teresa Munna. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband of forty-one years, Joseph Mario Bologna, sister Catherine Randisi and brother Anthony Munna,
Dorothy was a retired media specialist from the Prince Georges County school system in MD. When she retired, she told her co-workers that she would like to be remembered as having a warm and kind heart. She would be happy to know that all who knew her will remember her that way.
An avid athlete well into her seventies, Dorothy played tennis in many leagues in Prince Georges County and Ocean City, MD, even after double knee replacements. She always played to win. At the age of 80, she won the Silver Medal in the Virginia Senior Olympics for swimming; and at 81 she participated in Senior Olympic Table Tennis Singles tournament. Most recently, her competitions have occurred at the bingo and card tables.
While raising her four children, she passed on her love of athletics. There was much chauffeuring to swim team practice and participating as a judge in swim meets. There were 4-H club meetings, horse shows and jousting tournaments. Dorothy and her husband Joe supported their children and participated with enthusiasm, including road trips to far away venues.
Another aspiration of Dorothy’s was the theatre. She played many roles in local productions, including plays by Shakespeare and Chekov. Her children delighted in helping her memorize her lines and play supporting roles.
Dorothy’s biggest pleasure was supporting and encouraging her family. When one of her sons was fifteen, he expressed an interest in buying a car. Dorothy thought he should learn about auto mechanics first so she enrolled him in an auto mechanics class offered by the county and attended the classes with him. Good thing because he rolled his first car and needed to use what he had learned right away.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, daughter Elizabeth H. Littner and husband Scott of Aldie, VA, son Joseph M. Bologna, Jr. and wife Peggy of Kingsport, TN, son Christopher S. Bologna and wife Jeannie of Hollywood, MD, and son Theodore W. Bologna of San Diego, CA. Also surviving her are eleven grandchildren: Ryan, Alex, Cassandra, Daphne, Nathaniel, Rebecca, Tina, Jessica, Nicholas, Daniel, and Theodore, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren: Kastan, Evan, Olivia, Lincoln, Michael, Joseph, Henry, Cozette, Isaiah, Aaliyah, Mia, Joseph, Jenna, Francesca, Joseph and Amelia and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at The Tribute at Heritage Village, 13650 Heathcote Blvd., Gainesville, VA 20155.
Interment will be held at a later date at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to The Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike #420, Rockville, MD 20850. A printable donation form is available at fisherhouse.org. Friends and family may alternatively make donations to the charity of their choice. All who knew Dorothy and her cheerful disposition and kindness will know that your memories and prayers for this loving and caring woman are all that are needed.