Obituary of Eligia Dundee

Eligia Del Guercio Lorenti Dundee, a lifelong resident of Larchmont and Mamaroneck, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, three days shy of her 90th birthday. Eligia was born in 1924 in Queens to Louis and Hortense (Ardengo) Del Guercio. She graduated with a BA degree from the College of New Rochelle, cum laude, and went on to earn a master's degree in social work from Fordham University School of Social Science. Her career in social work included the executive directorship of Adoption Services of Westchester, as well as positions with the cerebral palsy clinic of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and the White Plains office of Catholic Charities Family Service. Prior to working in social services, she answered reader inquiries at the New York Daily News. In 1951, she married Mario D. Lorenti, who predeceased her in 1964. In 1973, she married Ben Dundee, who predeceased her in 2012. Eligia is survived by her daughter, Eugenia, son-in-law Gerard and grandson Joseph Juliano of Mamaroneck; her son, Richard Lorenti and his partner Andrew Flatt of New York City; and her stepson David and his wife Betty Dundee of Cartersville, GA. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Paula Del Guercio of Larchmont and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Eligia was also an accomplished artist, having had multiple exhibits of her pastel work throughout Westchester County. Six of her paintings are currently displayed at the Larchmont Public Library through May 30th as part of the Spring Showcase of the Larchmont & Town of Mamaroneck Senior Center Art Class. Visiting hours will be at John J. Fox Funeral Home, 2080 Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY, on Friday, May 23rd, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont on Saturday, May 24th, at 10am. Internment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Eligia's memory may be made to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine, 701 Washington Ave., New York City, NY 10040 or mothercabrini.org.