Dolores Marie Berndt

Survived by her son, David Berndt (Julia Ward); daughter, Susan Berndt and devoted daughter and care-taker, Amylnne Berndt Pacitto. grandchildren Natasha Velieri (Mike Hayes) Kayce Berndt, Johnathan Velieri (Samantha Di Libert), Nicholas Berndt and Lauren (Joshua) Ranaletta and six beautiful great-grandchildren that Alzheimer's robbed her of knowing. Sister and brother-in-law, Violet Simonelli and Raymond Phelps along with many nieces; nephews and their families. To include many loving family members and friends. Pre-deceased by Guiseppe and Rose (Candida) Simonelli, beloved sister-in-law and brother Elaine and Joseph Simonelli.

D(ee) as referred to by many, was a retiree of Eastman Kodak Company and an avid fan of George Eastman. She was a volunteer docent of their glorious gardens until Alzheimer's began to challenge her recall of that which had become so natural to her. She was an avid gardener (like her dad was with his award-winning gardens!). She could tell you any and every flower that bloomed, and bird that flew.
Dee was a competitive Photographer. She spent countless hours, days, and years photographing EVERYTHING! She spent her time at Kodak Camera Club, developing, printing, color correcting, mounting and framing all over her photos! She was a stained-glass master, creating everything from small window pieces to huge hanging lamps, windows and door panels. She had a love of the outdoors, an absolute love of skiing (Cross-Country and Downhill), and a lover of hiking gorges.

She was funny. A car yodeler, she loved kazoos and found them to be a source of amusement. She loved to dance, loved to try new recipes and always cooked/baked for friends and family. She was a seamstress extraordinaire, having learned from her dad, an Italian immigrant. She made countless clothes for all her children and grandkids, as well as unique, special and creative stuffed animals for her grandkids. She made blankets for them, clothes for their favorite stuffies, crochet bedspreads and bed skirts. . . She could make and mend ANYTHING. She was a woman ahead of her time, she could do anything! A female MacGyver - something she certainly passed on. In retirement she became a decoupage fan, sharing her love of the craft with her grandchildren.
Dee was an independent, ridiculously creative/prideful Italian American woman who never asked for anything and never took a handout. She loved and cared for her family deeply. She was a Master Hostess and was an incredibly sweet, kind person who was so loving without ever speaking harshly or complaining. She has been our ENTIRE family's historian and preservationist of all our generations. Her creative, gentle soul will be deeply missed.

Family will receive friends on Saturday February 18th 2023 from 10AM -12PM followed by a service at 12PM at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 2636 Ridgeway Ave Rochester, NY 14626. Internment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

in lieu of flowers please make a donation in her honor to Alzheimers Association and please complete an act of kindness for a stranger