Dolores Adele (Landolfi) Rochester

On Thursday, December 22, 2022 Dolores "Dee" Adele Rochester, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt passed away at the age of 90. She was born in New York City on January 15, 1932, to William and Teresa Landolfi. In February 1947, Dolores and her family relocated to Healdsburg to care for her maternal Grandfather, John Cella. Regret at leaving behind her familiar neighborhood and friends evaporated when she arrived in Healdsburg. She left Manhattan's February snow drifts and freezing temperatures for the Mediterranean climate of Sonoma County. Dolores always said it felt like the Garden of Eden. Her grandfather raised chickens and rabbits and had a variety of fruit and nut trees growing in his yard on University Street. The comparison is understandable.

While attending Healdsburg High School Dolores made lifelong friends and met the love of her life, Alvie Rochester. Dolores graduated as the female valedictorian of Healdsburg High School's class of 1949. In 1951, she and Alvie were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Healdsburg. Their three children were born in Healdsburg. In 1961 they moved to Lake County for Alvie to pursue a career in law enforcement and Dolores ultimately became bookkeeper for the Konocti Unified School District.

Dolores was a strict but loving mother, known for her housekeeping prowess and high standards of cleanliness. Many of her children's childhood friends credit Dolores with their skills for vacuuming walls and ceilings, dusting baseboards and learning how to properly make a bed. Dolores was a wonderful cook and will be especially remembered for her minestrone.

Alvie and Dolores retired in 1991, returned to their beloved Healdsburg and rekindled old friendships. Until her late 80s, Dolores walked several miles a day with her best friend Gloria Opperman. They were familiar figures around town, walking and chatting. Dolores and Gloria also delivered Meals on Wheels every Wednesday and then went to lunch.

Dolores was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 52 years, Alvie, and her brother Robert Landolfi. She is survived by her children Barbara Gourley (Roy), Bruce Rochester (Shari) Linda Rochester (Ernie Ralston); grandchildren, Christopher Gourley, Sarah Plum (Loren), Adam Ralston and Brian Rochester; great grandchildren, Lola Plum, Ian Plum, Victoria Gourley, Colton Gourley, Emma Spaulding; nieces Tammy Sutherland, Lisa Landolfi-Valdovinos

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · December 27, 2022