Obituary of Dora F. Nicolini

Dora passed away peacefully on Monday April 22nd at the age of 93. She was surrounded by family and friends at the Pelican Pointe Post Acute Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. Born and raised in Trenton, N.J. and retired from the N.J. State Department of Transportation. She moved to Cape May to enjoy her retirement and to be close to her loving family. Dora was small in stature but a giant in terms of personality, strength and sassiness. Her eternal desire to travel the world helped earn her the nickname of Dora the Explorer. She traveled the world with a passion and zest that many of us could only dream of. Her great love of History paved the path to almost every country in Western Europe. This passion began by living in a one room apartment rental, while her husband Rocco Nicolini was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. Her undying desire for adventure perfectly encapsulated her spirit here on Earth. We will miss her love of coffee ice cream, waffles with fresh strawberries and endless Black and White movie marathons. At a height of 5' tall and a weight of 100lbs, she could easily out eat most 350lb NFL linebackers. Lil' D was truly a small package of dynamite and a pillar of strength for our family. Dora lived independently until the age of 93. She walked daily, over 8 miles a day on the promenade in Cape May, well into her late eighties. She loved to read, do crossword puzzles and listen to music; The Beatles, Neil Diamond, Abba, Air Supply and Il Volo just to name a few. She enjoyed concerts and local musicians. Dora's long and amazing life is perfectly penned in a poem by Linda Ellis: The Dash "What mattered most of all was the DASH between those years engraved on the tombstone. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on Earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line was worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash. What matters is she lived and loved and how she spent her DASH." Dora is predeceased by her father Eugene Biddulph, mother Florence Arrison Biddulph, brother Eugene Biddulph, brother Howard Biddulph, sister in law Jean Biddulph, niece Sherri Biddulph, long time partner George Benson and husband Rocco Nicolini. She is survived by her daughter Leigh Nicolini Shea and John Eisenbeil, son in Law Robert Shea, and grandchildren Alex, Jesse, Aaron and Mia Shea. Her son Brian Nicolini, daughter in law Jaime Nicolini, grandchildren Paige, Ethan and Julian Nicolini. Sister in law Claire Biddulph, nephew Howard Biddulph and wife Rachelle Bradley Biddulph, niece Margaret Baffuto and husband David Baffuto. Nephew Harold Biddulph, nephew Scott Biddulph and wife Vicki Biddulph. Sister in law Roberta Dabronzo, brother in law Robert Dabronzo, nephew Mark Dabronzo and niece Danielle Dabronzo. Adopted son Raymond Cavalari. Her many friends that helped her live so independently until the end; Susan Treier, Pauline Prince, Susan Longacre and Kelly Shaw Kenny. A special thank you to Amanda Gigi Kille for making her last days comfortable. A graveside memorial will be held at 11:30am on Saturday May 4th at Greenwood Cemetery. 1800 Hamilton Avenue ~ Hamilton, N.J. 08619. Directly across from First and Ten Restaurant.