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LAWRENCE, Pa. -- Dolores "Dee" Leopardi Ciabattoni, 92, passed away peacefully at her son's home in Lawrence, Pa., on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
She was born on March 4, 1934, in the coal-mining town of Edenborn, Pa., the youngest of four children of John and Mary Yaugo Leopardi.
Her parents and siblings, Joseph Leopardi, Jenny Leopardi Shultz and John A. Leopardi, preceded her in death, as did her husband of 63 years, Virgil Ciabattoni.
Dolores is survived by her two children, Marisa (Albert) Gregos and Dino (Debbie) Ciabattoni, as well as by several nieces and nephews.
Dee's family moved to Warren when she was 10 years old. She graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in June of 1952. At school, she was a passionate debater against the practice of capital punishment.
After working six years at the Lordstown Ordinance Depot, she left her job when she became pregnant with her first child, Marisa. After their second child Dino was born, Virgil and Dolores moved their young family to Cortland, where they spent the majority of their lives. She considered raising her children to be the best job that anyone could have.
Dolores loved all people and marveled at God's creation. She was fascinated by spiders spinning their webs and was grateful for all the wildlife that God shared with her. Dee appreciated even the simple things in life, like the variety of leaves and loved the poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. She had a special love of cats, though, and rescued many dozens over the years. It took most of her marriage, but she finally made a cat lover out of her husband with a special stray cat that he named Zackee. Dee was a firm believer in the adage, "He who feeds a hungry animal feeds his own soul."
After caring for Virgil until his death (Oct. 12, 2021), her own health went into decline. Dee then moved in with her son and daughter-in-law, but not without her eight cats! Her fur kids were the grandchildren that she never had and she would never part with them.
She loved children and was grateful when friends brought their kids over to share with her. Dee was also very vocal about supporting the oppressed, especially the victims in Ukraine and Gaza. She practiced kindness and compassion toward all and prayed for an end to racism and hatred of any kind. Those that knew her loved her warm and generous nature, but especially her humorous, quick wit. She believed in Christ's message to welcome the stranger and accept people for who they were, children of God.
Donations are not being requested, but a few of Dee's favorite charities were CRS.org, svdppitt.org and PennyFix.org. Instead of donating money, please consider Christ's call to follow Him by donating your time and talent in helping those in need. Doing so will be proof that Dolores touched your heart in some way. Take care and may God bless you all.
Arrangements were entrusted to Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, McMurray, Pa.
A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at St. Mary Church (St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish), 232 Seneca Ave. NE, Warren, OH, 44481.
Inurnment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, 3823 Hoagland Blackstub Road, Cortland, OH, 44410.
(special notice)