Dorothy Cardamone Obituary

Dorothy Jean Cardamone, of Columbia, MD passed away peacefully of Congestive Heart Failure and Respiratory Failure on July 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM at Gilchrist Hospice Facility in Columbia, MD. In one of the last days of her life, she said "I'm GOING to see Our Lord." Then, just over 24 hours after receiving the Anointing of the Sick and an Apostolic Blessing, she passed from this life and "WENT to see Our Lord." She was 89.

Dorothy was born on May 18, 1936 to the late Leo and Clara Dolan in New Milford, New Jersey. She was their second child and had a brother (Leo Vincent Dolan) who also pre-deceased her as was 9 years older. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, which was less than 100 feet from her home. As a beautiful young lady, she modeled for Coca-Cola and other products. With a heart for others, she served as a volunteer in a hospital helping to administer the EKG's.
Walter Winchell, a well-known syndicated newspaper columnist and colleague of Dorothy's father (a war correspondent and newspaper editor), announced her engagement to Joseph Cardamone. They were married on August 18, 1956 and moved to Brooklyn, New York. Just over a year later was one of Dorothy's happiest days of her life when she gave birth to her first child, Rosemarie and two years later, gave birth to her second daughter, Michele.
Dorothy knew the importance of family and cherished being a wife and mother, and later, an aunt and Godmother. With joy, she dedicated many years fulfilling those roles. During their formative years, Dorothy taught the Catholic faith to her children by words and actions in the home and regular service to others.
As an excellent cook, baker, and homemaker, Dorothy ensured everyone who entered her home felt welcomed. While living just a block away from her in-laws, she learned all of the Italian customs and became the quintessential hostess for many family celebrations. One of her favorite celebrations was St. Patrick's Day when she enjoyed wearing green, eating Irish food, and singing Irish songs with her family.
In 1970, the family relocated to Maryland when her husband's job at the Brooklyn Navy Yard was transferred to Annapolis. Leaving a large extended family behind was difficult, but work friends who also relocated helped ease the burden and became their new family in Maryland. That said, Dorothy and her immediate family regularly returned to New York for countless birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, communions, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. In 1977, the family moved to their new home in Arnold, Maryland where she lived for many years and had wonderful neighbors and warm memories.

Dorothy loved to travel. As a young girl, her most significant trip was when she and her mom went on a luxurious transatlantic cruise while her dad was busy working. After she got married, she and her husband took many car trips (cross-country on their honeymoon and then all over the east coast). Finally, in her later years, her children took her on numerous cruises which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Dorothy was an active member in her church and community. She regularly made casseroles for the poor. She also became very active in the Arnold Senior Center. Her ballroom, tap, and country line dance team performed at various county fairs, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. She also enjoyed creating arts and crafts and her home is filled with water and oil paintings, ceramics, and various crafts.
Dorothy is survived by her two daughters: Rosemarie Cardamone (Ormond Davis) of Annapolis, MD and Michele Cardamone-Ramos (Michael Ramos) of Columbia, MD, the entire Cardamone families in New York, Virginia, and Florida, and her dear niece Diana Little, and her son Joseph Little.
Arrangements: Family and friends may visit from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Tuesday, August 12 at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Wednesday, August 13 at noon at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
- Laurel Advocacy and Referral Center (https://www.laureladvocacy.org/)

- Laurel Pregnancy Center (https://lpcpartners.org/) or
- Columbia Pregnancy Center (https://www.columbia-pregnancy.org/)

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