Obituary of Doris LaRotonda

Doris P. LaRotonda, age 93, of Poughkeepsie and formally of Yonkers, died Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at home in Poughkeepsie. Doris was born August 14, 1923 in Rothesay King's County, New Brunswick, Canada. She is the daughter of the late Burton Harold and the late Marion (Humphrey) Parks. She married the late John F. LaRotonda in Yonkers. Doris was a graduate of Yonkers General Hospital School of Nursing, where she eventually worked as an RN in the delivery room. In her later years, she was a Family Care provider for disabled children. Her concern for children was also reflected in her active support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Doris enjoyed reading, raising her horses and various breeds of dogs; she was one of the first breeders of the Bichon Frises, having imported some of the first dogs from Belgium to the U.S. She loved to travel and two of her favorite places to visit were Italy and Hawaii, where she worked as an RN after World War II. Doris was predeceased by her daughter, Susan Grubb and brother, Donald Parks. She is survived by one daughter Lisa LaFalce and her husband Michael of Poughkeepsie, NY and son John LaRotonda and partner Michelle Langlois Marshall of Poughkeepsie, NY and brother William Harold Parks of Amsterdam, NY. She also has four grandchildren, Spencer Grubb, Justin, Elena, and Andriana LaFalce and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Doris' care givers for all of their help and support over the past two years; Antonette Lewis, Joelle Dezalsaint, Darlene Mallory, Wanda Beauford-Johnson and Lee'Anda Mima. Gravesite services for both Doris and her daughter Susan will be held on Monday, September 19th at 10AM at The Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Attn. Memorial Donations Dept., 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis , TN 38105 or Hospice of Dutchess County 374 Violet Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.