Dorothy Ficocelli 1936-2025

Born May 7, 1936, in Youngstown, she was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Kohler Jones. She met Vince Ficocelli, the love of her life, 73 years ago, and they celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Dorothy touched the lives of all who knew her. She was a 1954 graduate of Ursuline High School, where she was a drum majorette.

Dorothy was a stewardess for Northwest Airlines. She and Vince were members of the Marriage Encounter Weekend Presenting Team, where they presented hundreds of weekends and were in leadership for over 25 years. They taught a matrimony class to Catholic high school students for over seven years. They also did marriage preparation courses and Pre-Cana for 15 years. Dorothy was a member of the Women’s Bereavement Committee at her many parishes. She was a Eucharistic minister for the residents of the Mother Angeline McCrory Nursing Home, where she volunteered, and was part of the ministry programs for the sick in various parishes.

Dorothy Ficocelli was known for her adventurous spirit, love of living on the edge, her kindness, generosity, and passion and courage in sharing her faith in God. She dedicated her life to being the heart and hands of Jesus, leaving a lasting impact through her life and relationships.

Dorothy will always be remembered lovingly by her husband, Vince; children, Mark Ficocelli (Elizabeth), Lynn Sterling, Lori Ficocelli, Angela Rudolph and Chad Ficocelli (Talia); 11 grandchildren, Michael Ficocelli, Nicholas Ficocelli, Kaitlyn Sterling Louis, Chris Sterling, Daniel Ficocelli, Matthew Ficocelli, Elijah Ficocelli, Elliott Ficocelli, Evan Ficocelli, Emmett Ficocelli and Vida Ficocelli; great-grandchild, Abel James Louis; and many friends and family members who loved her dearly.

A service in her honor will be Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1401 Greenwood Highway, McCormick, SC 29835. The family will receive friends at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. The rosary service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and be immediately followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial and reception for the attendees.

On Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 11 a.m., Dorothy will be interred in the columbarium at Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations in memory of Dorothy be made to The John Paul Institute, https://www.johnpaulii.edu/donate.

Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Ficocelli family. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

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