Caroline DiNoto | Obituary | The Daily Star
BAINBRIDGE — Caroline Elizabeth “Dolly” DiNoto, 95, of Bainbridge, died peacefully at home on January 26, 2023, with what appears to be just two gray hairs on her head. She inherited the 95th birthday of her husband Sebastian “Sam” DiNoto, who predeceased her.
She was born in Bronx on April 15, 1927 to the late Joseph and Josephine Spadaro. The midwife exclaimed that she looked like a perfect doll, and the nickname became her identity.
Dolly graduated from Norwich High School where she was captain of the cheerleading team.
She worked in retail until she married Sam, the love of her life, on July 25, 1953. The couple settled in Bainbridge, raised six daughters and opened their home to many Rotary Youth Exchange students. Dolly worked as a teaching assistant in the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District and enjoyed visiting alumni. Dolly was an active member of her community, and her strong faith and optimism made her a role model for family and friends. She was a proud campaign worker and a member of the Bainbridge Rec Club and rarely missed a meeting, even as one of the club’s oldest members. She has served in many positions in the Bainbridge Women’s Club and was active in St. John’s Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Rosary Society. She was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by Northeast NY Rotary District 7190.
Tiny but mighty, Dolly will be remembered when her high school yearbook described her as “a dynamic bundle of restless energy.” She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens and was a talented seamstress. She was a kind friend who worked to ensure that everyone in her orbit was comfortable and well fed. She was life at most parties and always on her feet when “Hello, Dolly!” played.
In addition to Sam, Dolly was deceased by her parents; five siblings and daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jane and Richard “Zip” Hughes.
She is survived by daughters Susan (Daniel) George, Donna (Doug) Holdrege, Sandra (Joe Parella) DiNoto, Caroline (Paul) Laing and Denise DiNoto; grandsons, Chris George, Erin (George) Drummond, Cassandra (George) West, Sara (Hughes) Tribou, Joe Hughes, Karen (Hughes) Emmons, Jenny Holdrege, Randy Holdrege, Daniel Gally and Joshua Gally; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Theresa Zieno of Sidney; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to the wonderful nurses and staff at Chenango County Hospice and Palliative Care, especially Logan and Melissa, for making sure Dolly’s last wishes were fulfilled.
Dolly used to say, “I don’t want flowers after I die. I want them now!” Please consider a gift to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County in lieu of flowers at www. hospicechenango.org.
Dolly enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner or a good Manhattan on special occasions and encouraged everyone to raise a glass in her memory.
Friends are invited to call Tuesday, January 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the CH Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 15 Liberty St. Sydney.
The final burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge.
Arrangements are under the direction of CH Landers Funeral Chapel, Sydney.
Condolences and memories can be shared online at
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