Alfonsina 'Shirley' Dodd

Alfonsina "Shirley" Dodd left this Earth to dance in Heaven on January 10, 2019 at the Hospice Home in Burlington, N.C. Shirley was born at home on Stone Street in Newark, N.J. on July 20, 1925. The youngest of 4 children of Gennaro and Emilia (Palumbo) Calcagno, she was given the nickname Shirley as a child because of her Shirley Temple curls. On Oct. 9, 1949 she married Andrew J. Dodd, Jr. and they had 5 children, eventually moving to Franklin, N.J., to raise their family. A devoted wife and mother, she always put family first. As a person who was willing to help wherever she could, she volunteered at the Immaculate Conception School in Franklin when her children were students there.
Widowed on November 20, 1977, she was fortunate to be able to travel with her daughter and her family (who was in the Air Force) and was able to help care for her eldest grandchildren. While traveling, she lived in many states as well as the Azores, Portugal. During this time she continued to volunteer wherever she was needed, most especially on the Welcoming Committee, welcoming new families to each base. Her volunteer work was acknowledged as she won the Volunteer of the Year Award several years in a row. She was also a woman of great faith. When in N.J., she attended St. Francis De Sales Church, Vernon, N.J., and when in N.C.,, she attended Blessed Sacrament in Graham, N.C.
She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, her husband and a granddaughter, Mary Katherine Mahoney on Aug. 20, 1990. She is survived by her children, Amy Space and her husband John of NJ, Andrea (AJ) Glass and her husband, Terry of N.C., Arlene Dodd and her husband, Gary Sullivan, of Pa,, Michael Dodd of Va., and Ann Dodd and her husband, Kelly Leavitt, of N.J. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. She will be greatly missed.
The family will receive their friends at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94(1 Vanderhoof Court for GPS), Vernon, N.J. on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. Funeral from the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis deSales RC Church, Vernon, NJ at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Hardyston Twp., NJ. In lieu of flowers, in keeping with her wishes and in gratitude for her healthy children, memorial contributions to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or in the spirit of her love of animals, to Humane Society of Port Jervis/Deerpark, 202 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771; or to Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 where she spent her final days.
Information and condolences can be found at www.fergusonvernonfuneralhome.com.