Dorothy R. Candelore, 90, of Elizabeth Township, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024. She was born in Belle Vernon, on April 15, 1934, and was the daughter to the late Samuel and Helen Choker Gelotti. She was the wife of 60 years to the late Norman R. Candelore Sr. before his passing in January 2015. Dorothy and Norm had a one-of-a-kind love, and over the years created a beautiful life full of blessings. She loved people — she was the life of the party and always turned a stranger into a friend with kind conversation. She truly cared about you and what you had to say, but also wasn’t afraid to speak her own opinion. In 1967, Dorothy had her son, Norman R. Candelore Jr., and he was their pride and joy. She was his biggest fan during his football career from high school to college, and even throughout the rest of her life, you’d often hear her say, “THAT’S MY SON!” with great pride. Dorothy was the face and mouth of the Howell Plan where she resided for over 60 years – some even called her the mayor of the Howell Plan. Her front porch was seldom empty, many neighbors would gather with her on the corner of Benchoff and Parkwyn in the early evening hours until darkness sent them home. Dorothy loved to clean her home. It has been said that her glass doors and windows were so clean you had to be careful not to walk through them. Even today, so many remarks about how clean 301 Benchoff Street was. Dorothy loved sports, she loved football and would stop whatever she was doing to watch a game. It didn’t matter who was playing, she was watching the game or trying to find a game on TV. She worked as a Volunteer at Jefferson Hospital in the front entrance cafeteria for eight years before being recruited by Community Life to manage and supervise the Kitchen. After 2 months on the job, the management team named the kitchen “DOROTHY’S KITCHEN” and made a special sign that was installed about the kitchen area. She was very honored to sit and spend time with the participants and would tell us so many great stories about those she took care of. Dorothy had a fond love for the casino. She and her husband, Norm would win at The Meadows and on their way home, make a pit stop at their son Norm’s house with some bonus dollars and would say “Big Time Winners!” Dorothy is survived by her son, Norman R. Candelore Jr., and his wife, Cindy of Canonsburg; grandchildren, Norm III, Kelsi, Nicolas and Michael; two great-grandchildren; her sister, Elma Peters of Waynesburg; and many nieces and nephews. The Candelore family would also like to graciously extend their gratitude and love to nieces, Nancy Palmer and Ginny “Jenny” Candelore, for the past few years for devoting their time to making sure Dorothy was well taken care of. She was the personality, the energy, the fun, the protector, and the leader that every family needs — the complete package. She will be greatly missed, but we are sure that she will never be forgotten as we are all full of positive and happy memories of her. Visitation for Dorothy will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2024, at GILBERT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY INC., 6028 Smithfield St., Boston, Elizabeth Township, 412-751-5000, Drew J. Gilbert, director. On Monday, there will be an “Open House” style Celebration of Life, honoring Dorothy Candelore at the R-Place restaurant in Elizabeth Township from 2 to 6 p.m. This is a very special occasion, and the Candelore family would love for everyone to stop by, enjoy some food and share stories and many conversations about Dorothy and her wonderful life she lived. Let’s celebrate her exactly how she would want everyone, smiling and happy. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s honor should be made to your local animal shelter. Condolences can be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
