Obituary of Michelina Rose Lo Sapio

On Thursday, December 30 Michelina “Dolly” Lo Sapio, née Stoto, passed away in her sleep at home. She was 100. Born July 3, 1921 at home in Jersey City, her parents always said the Fourth of July fireworks were in her honor. In 1946, after a secretarial career, she married Angelo Lo Sapio and moved to Hazlet and then Keyport, where she lived for many years, raising her six children. It didn’t matter that her family of eight was hard to feed. If anyone – classmate, neighbor or family member- needed a place to stay, they were welcome in Dolly's home. She rarely lost her temper and virtually never said an unkind word. One nephew nicknamed her “Saint Aunt Dolly.” If she didn’t like someone – and that almost never happened – something had to be wrong with them. You might argue it, but in the end she was usually right. Dolly and Ang always encouraged their children to learn, scrimping to buy a World Book encyclopedia set. When they had a question, instead of giving them the answer she would say “Look it up!” The kitchen phone became a virtual internet as classmates would call to get answers as well. She never pried, but if you wanted to talk, she was always there, without judgement. After retirement she and Ang moved to Long Neck, Delaware where she enjoyed the boardwalk, bocce, birdwatching and socializing for several years before moving back to spend time with their grandchildren. At Leisure Village East in Lakewood, there was bocce, shuffleboard, volunteer work, her dogs and the Red Hat Society where she served as “Queen Mum.” And she outlasted just about everyone from her generation. Dolly was a talented cook and baker, known for her Italian food, pumpkin roll and skillful crocheting. She was one of a kind. Smart, loving, respectful and giving, Dolly engrained in her children a strong sense of social justice. She lived a full and joyful, generous life and will remain forever in the hearts of anyone who had the privilege to know her. She is predeceased by her husband, Angelo Lo Sapio, son, Mario Lo Sapio, grandson, Ryan Lo Sapio, brothers Nino and Ben, sisters Emma and Vinci. She is survived by her children Angela Brunelli/Andy Ambrose, Lucille Lo Sapio/Gary Dates, Camille Lo Sapio/Anthony Carradori, Vincent and Jo-Ann Lo Sapio, Patrice Lo Sapio and Susan Lo Sapio. Also surviving are grandchildren Anthony Brunelli, Louis Brunelli, Edward and Pia Lo Sapio, Angela/Albert Rapoport, Michael Lo Sapio, Joseph Picone, Michele Picone, and Chris Masi. Her great grandchildren are Andre Rapoport, Maggie and Michelina Lo Sapio. Visitation will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home on Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 376 Maple Place, Keyport. Dolly loved flowers, but if you prefer to make a donation instead, please send to St Jude Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.