Obituary of Dorothy DeRossi

Dorothy "Dottie" Spaziano Scaffidi DeRossi, a woman whose heart was as full as her home, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at the age of 87. Throughout her journey from Magnolia to Vineland, NJ, Dottie was the steady heartbeat of a close-knit circle of family, friends, and neighbors who relied on her unique brand of comfort and concern. For many years, Dottie's primary career was the one she held most dear: being a mother. However, once her son John headed off to college, Dottie decided it was time for a second act. With a spirit of adventure, she stepped onto the casino floors of Atlantic City as a blackjack dealer. It was a role that suited her perfectly-blending her sharp mind with her love for people-and she enjoyed a successful career there until her retirement over 20 years ago. Dottie's life was a testament to resilience and the beauty of second chances. After enduring the loss of her first husband over 30 years ago, she eventually found a profound, transformative love in her second husband, Tommy DeRossi. Though Tommy passed away over 10 years ago, the years they shared remained the "true love story" of her life. At home, Dottie was rarely alone. She was a devoted "pet parent" to her beloved Shih Tzus, Skoshi and Willie, and presided over a cherished menagerie of cats. When she wasn't tending to her animals or checking in on loved ones, she could often be found happily immersed in her favorite computer games on her iPad and phone-a hobby she looked forward to every day. Dottie was greeted in the beyond by those who went before her: her husbands, her younger brother Corky, and her beloved stepdaughter, Lisa. Her legacy of warmth and strength lives on in her only son, John, and his wife Karen, with whom Dottie shared a very special and deeply cherished relationship. She is also survived by her sister and lifelong best friend, Grace, and Grace's husband, Wells; and her youngest brother Michael and his wife Kathy. Dottie is further survived by her niece, Dawn Spaziano and her children; and her loving stepchildren, Dawn for whom she had a treasured relationship, and Bryan. Her light shines on through her ten grandchildren: John, Zachary, Christina, Jacob, Victoria, Aidan, Lucas, Matthew, Justin, and Breanna, as well as her many cherished great-grandchildren and her beloved grand-nieces and nephews. Dottie's life wasn't just measured in years, but in the quiet moments of comfort she offered and the bold way she embraced every new chapter. A funeral home visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 11am to 1pm at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com