Obituary of Alberina Bottini

Alberina Bottini, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on December 3, 2021. Born in Roccaspromonte (Molise) Italy on June 20, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Gerardo D’Onofrio and Maria Elena (Brunetti) D’Onofrio.  Alberina married the love of her life, Pasquale Bottini, on May 6, 1954.

Alberina was born and raised in the beautiful campagnia region of central Italy.  The oldest of six she helped raise her younger siblings.  As WWII came to the region, she was forced to leave her home along with her family and go to the hillside caverns for safety. From her early childhood she learned to survive and help support her family. All her life has centered on caring, assisting and protecting her family.  Alberina always had a love for cooking. She hosted many holidays and family celebrations.  She owned and operated a delicatessen for over 15 years.  Alberina continued sharing her passion and talent when she went onto work in food preparation at the Vassar College Retreat Center in 1984. Hired on as kitchen staff, she quickly moved to cashiering.  She genuinely enjoyed her interaction with students, faculty and staff and was referred to as “an unofficial extension of Vassar’s foreign language program” in an article, A long way from Campobasso, in the Vassar College OnCampus news. She was always ready to chat in her native Italian and enjoyed conversing with students. These short chats with Alberina offered the students casual conversational Italian practice during their visits to the Retreat Center, very similar to what they would experience in Italy. Alberina truly enjoyed her time at Vassar College until her retirement in 2003. She spent her retirement enjoying her gardening, hosting family events and spending time with her grandchildren. 

She is predeceased by her devoted husband, Pasquale, of 63 years. She is survived by her loving daughters and sons-in-law, Maria Bottini Fitzpatrick, Liliana Guarino (Tim), Antonella Santagate (David); her beloved grandchildren, Heather Guarino, Alexander Joseph Santagate and Michael Guarino; her siblings Amerino D’Onofrio, Biaggio D’Onofrio  and several sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her son-in-law, Bill Fitzpartick, and siblings Salvatrice D’Onofrio, Antonio D’Onofrio, and Giovanni D’Onofrio.  

Our family wishes to thank the supportive and caring team at Hudson Valley Hospice.  Donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 8th from 2-5pm, at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, December 9th at 1045 am at the Church of St. Martin de Porres, Poughkeepsie, NY. Entombment will follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.  For directions or to leave an online condolence please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com.

If you plan on attending the Visitation and the Funeral we are asking that you please wear a face mask.