Dorothy J. Malfara, 93, of Marblehead, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, at Otterbein Marblehead Senior Life Community, Jane Baker House, Marblehead. She was born May 13, 1929, in Cleveland, the daughter of Richard and Antoinette “Nettie” (Nemecek) Thomas. She married Joseph J. Malfara on June 17, 1950, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 11, 2010. Dorothy was an Administrator of nursing homes, Director of Nursing, but most importantly to her, she was a nurse. She worked at Providence Hospital, Victorian Manor and Riverview Senior Health Care.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was previously the director of music for 25 years. She was also past President of the Altar-Rosary Society and Parish Council, where she was instrumental in completing the project to get the church elevator installed. She served on the Diocesan Liturgical Committee for music and she was a member of Sandusky Choral Society, Firelands Chorus, and numerous church choirs. She had a beautiful voice and whether she was singing on TV (The Horace Hite Show), singing for the Pope or leading a sing along with little kids, she loved to spread joy through song. So often, people would tell her how blessed they felt that she was a part of their most important memories because she sang at all of their family’s events. She enjoyed planning family holiday gatherings, and she always made sure everyone felt special on their birthday. She also loved shopping!

Surviving are her children: Elizabeth (Mark) Roth of Salem, N.H., David (Deborah) Malfara, Sr. of Tampa, Fla., Victoria Pendleton of Port Clinton, Robert (Lora) Malfara of Norwalk, Christopher (Donna) Malfara of Catawba Island; grandchildren: Ann (R.J. Miele) Roth, Jennifer (Frank) Guzzi, Alexis (Eric) Kearley, David (Sarah) Malfara, Jr., Dominic (Jenny Slobodian) Malfara, Adam (Amber Phillips) Pendleton, Jessica Pendleton, Nichole (Chad) Burkholder, Andrea (Keaton Wineman) Malfara, Joseph (Danielle) Malfara, Anthony Malfara; great-grandchildren: Nate, Taya, Matthew, Abigail, Katelyn, Anthony, Madison, Jake and Luke. She was preceded in death by her husband: Joseph; brothers: Richard Thomas, Raymond Thomas, Rev. Robert Thomas; sisters: Edith Svejda and Marion Suchan.

Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead. Parish Altar Rosary services will be recited Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 Barclay St. Marblehead. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Otterbein Marblehead Senior Life, Benevolent Fund, 9400 E. North Shore Blvd. Lakeside, OH 43440 or Danbury Food Pantry. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com.