On January 29th, Dolores Mari Galdi, age 98, peacefully passed from this life to be with our Lord, and her husband Tony, in heaven.  Dolores was the last of the Mari family, sisters Florence and Theresa and brothers, Robbie and Billy.

She was a loving mother to Dolores Angela, her husband Fred, and an incredible grandmother (Meema) to Antonio, Salvatore, Eric, and Jessica, as well as a loving aunt to her many nieces and nephews, and to the friends she made during her long and wonderful life.

Dolores was born in Brooklyn.  Blessed with a beautiful voice she was able to travel the world as a leading opera soprano, singing with many prestigious opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York City Opera (13 years) and the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, (she was a favorite of conductor Arturo Toscanini), in addition to Carnegie Hall.  Yet, one of her most memorable performances was having a private audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Italy, where he held her hand while blessing her.

After retiring from professional singing, she taught several singers who likewise went on to have wonderful careers themselves.  For more than 50 years she was also a major developer and supporter of the Amato Opera Company ("The Smallest Grand Opera in the World"), first as a young singer, later as a teacher, friend, confidant and ever happy colleague.  What would the "strikes" have been without her lasagna or the New Years Eve Galas without her presence? And no one will ever forget her incredible Christmas Eve parties, filled with music, singing, laughter and unbelievably delicious food, of course!

She will be sorely missed and remembered in our hearts and memories forever…Ad infinitum!


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Visitation

Friday (2/2)
4 PM - 8 PM

Clavin Funeral Home
7722 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Complimentary Valet Parking Available


Funeral Mass

Saturday (2/3)
10 AM

Saint Agatha R.C. Church
49th St. & 7th Ave. (Brooklyn, NY)


Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232