Dorothy R. Berenato

Dorothy R. Berenato (née Ruberton), 88, known to most as “Dottie,” died peacefully at her Hammonton home in the early hours of Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Dottie was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a devout member of her church and an assiduous volunteer member of many organizations in her community. A forthright and moral woman, you never had to guess what Dottie thought of you: she was quite happy to tell you.

Born June 18, 1933 to parents Michael L. and Gilda F. Ruberton (née Falciani), Dottie lived in Hammonton her entire life. She graduated St. Joseph High School, and thereafter graduated Immaculata College in 1954, earning her baccalaureate in home economics, with a concentration in dietetics. After returning home, she worked for Atlantic Electric as a representative for home services. In later life, while telling stories about her life around the family dinner table, Dottie would often wonder aloud where a career might have led her in different times. Yet, life had another plan for Dottie, when she married her beloved husband Andy Berenato in 1956, and they began their family. She made it her life’s mission to ensure the happiness and prosperity of the people she loved.

Dottie devoted herself to many volunteer causes and organizations throughout her life—many in positions of leadership—and thereby accumulated several accolades. Some of the organizations that benefited from her altruistic efforts include Hammonton’s William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital Foundation, as Secretary, then Vice President (1982-1988); Kessler’s Auxiliary Board (1964 and onward); and Kessler’s Board of Directors as Secretary, Vice Chairman and then Chairman (1990-2005); the Southern New Jersey Health Systems Agency, as Treasurer, Vice President and later President; the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (1983-1988); Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, as trustee, then Vice Chairman and Chairman (1984-1996); the Atlantic County Human Services and Advisory Council (1987-1989); the New Jersey Hospital Association (1993-2000); and too many others to list. Dottie also found time to actively involve herself both in her church, and in her children’s schools, St. Joseph’s and St. Augustine College Prep.

Apart from her volunteer work, Dottie loved to read, attend live theater and classical performances, host and entertain, take vacations with her friends and family, involve herself in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and spend summers at her vacation home in Ocean City.

Dottie is predeceased by, and now joyfully reunited with her beloved husband of 54 years, Andy Berenato in 2010; her eldest son, Andrew G. Berenato Jr., who succumbed to cancer in 2011; her youngest son, George Berenato, who died in early childhood; and her granddaughter, Lauren Pitale in 2016.

Dottie’s surviving family will remember her and dearly miss her, including her daughter, Liz A. Pitale (née Berenato); son, Richard M. Berenato; and daughter-in-law, Andrea Berenato (née Wingate, wife of Andrew Jr.); her grandchildren, Charles Pitale and wife Liane, Michael Pitale and wife Jessica Gonzales, Andrew Berenato III and wife Carli, Alex Berenato and wife Jacqueline, Briana Balara (née Berenato) and husband Nicholas, and Daria Berenato; her great-grandchildren, Lucas Pitale, Luella Balara, Ezra and Margo Gonzales, Andrew IV and Hudson Berenato; her sister, Marjorie Pullia (née Ruberton); and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish-St. Joseph Church at 9:30 a.m., 226 French Street Hammonton, NJ 08037. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will be in Greenmount Cemetery 124 S. 1st Rd. Hammonton, NJ 08037.

In remembrance of the vast volunteering and time she has donated over the years, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. John of God 1145 Delsea Dr. Westville Grove, NJ 08093, St. Vincent de Paul Society 226 French St. Hammonton, NJ 08037 or a charity of one’s choice.

To share a condolence, please visit marinellafuneralhome.com.

Arrangements made by Marinella Funeral Home.