So shocked to hear of Dee’s passing just 3 months after I lost my husband Roger to Esophageal Cancer. Dee was a wonderful support to Roger sending lots of cards with beautiful notes. She even cooked a chicken Alfredo dish for him when he still could eat. Such a caring person who was just fun to be around. She always made you feel good. I sure hope Roger greeted her with a big hug

Dee and I met in 5th grade. We were the last two students in the spelling bee. She won the the spelling bee, but I won my BEST FRIEND. From that day on we were together everyday for many years. We played kickball, seven-up, hide and seek, made tents out of blankets and, we walked everywhere. To parks, swimming pools, ice cream shops and the neighborhood ice skating rink … We walked to Costanzo’s bakery to buy bread dough for “Ma”, as her Mother was known to all the neighborhood kids. When not out on an adventure, we hung at the LaRocco’s as it was the place to be. So many came to play skat with Ma. Ma’s sauce, pizza and home made breads were SO good! In our teens we started babysitting and accompanied each other whenever we could. We talked about our futures … marrying, having babies all of the things we hoped for. Having our own money, at this point, we started buying our own clothes and dressing alike. In fact, even though later in high school, we grew a bit part, we showed up at the senior prom in the exact same dress in different colors. Finally, I’d like to say she made me a better person. She was a leader. The most caring and thoughtful person I ever knew! At times throughout our lives we weren’t as close as others but we always came back to each other. Our mantra was ~BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, NO MATTER WHAT! We will be together again one day! I love you MORE, Madelyn Rose!