Dina O. Calabrese

Dina (Larmonie) Calabrese passed away peacefully on June 10, 2023, at the age of 88 in Punta Gorda, FL. She was born and raised in the small seaside town of Grand Case, St. Martin, French West Indies, and was the only child of the late John Joseph and Thomassine (Cagan) Larmonie. Dina attended French school, and was educated in French and English. Growing up she enjoyed the sun, the sea and the beauty of the island.

In 1952 at age 17, Dina immigrated to the US. Dina's mother joined her shortly thereafter. They were very proud to become citizens in 1962. Dina felt that the US was the greatest country in the world, and would never live anywhere else. She met the love of her life, Casper, at a movie theatre in Laurelton, New York. They were married a few years later and she never looked back. Her passing on June 10 fulfilled her wish that she be reunited with him on their (68th) wedding anniversary on June 11.

Dina raised her family in Massapequa Park, Long Island, New York and drove her three children to all their activities and, was a busy suburban mother. She learned how to cook all the Italian specialties that her husband loved, and made a lot of Caribbean dishes for her family. She loved to dance, especially to anything that had a Caribbean, Calypso or Bossa Nova rhythm. She also enjoyed spending time on the family boat in The Great South Bay, off Long Island, New York. As her children grew up, she enjoyed making ceramics with friends, and spent time volunteering at a local hospital.

Dina and Casper moved to Port Charlotte, Florida in 1990 where she enjoyed the beautiful weather, water aerobics, playing cards and lunching with her lady friends. She loved her cats, Oreo, Callie, Penny and Tiger. Dina was a wonderful, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was predeceased by her dedicated husband of 65 years, Casper (Sonny) Calabrese in January, 2021.

Dina is survived by her three children and their spouses, Suzette McMahon (Greg) of Holmdel, NJ, Janice Malloy (Brian) of Kathleen, GA, and James Calabrese (Theresa) of Williamsburg, VA. She is also survived by her seven granddaughters, Melissa Ratliff, Kimberly Santiago (Oz), Nicole Jessup (Isaac) Lindsay McMahon, Holly Dell'Avanzi (Rui) and Carly and Kate Calabrese. Eight great-grandchildren also survive: Jason Ratliff, Jr., Anthony, Brian and Joseph Santiago, Ian and Mason Jessup, and Marta and Ines Dell'Avanzi. The family wishes to thank everyone at Lifecare Center of Punta Gorda for their kindness, compassion and overall excellent care they provided Dina since 2018. The family also sends love and gratitude to her special friend, Pam Jackson of Punta Gorda, who visited every Sunday, and showed an incredible amount of love and compassion.

Visiting hours will be on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd. Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Burial will follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, 27200 Jones Loop Road, Punta Gorda, FL.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association, or the Humane Society of Naples, 370 Airport Pulling Road, Naples FL 34104.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kayspongerpc.com for the Calabrese family.