Dolores Donna Tantillo

1940-2020

Port Charlotte, Florida - Dolores D. (Hedding) Tantillo, 80 of Port Charlotte departed this life from complications from the coronavirus on Tuesday, 12/1/20. She was born on May 1, 1940 in Barre, Vermont to the late Dorothy and Harry F. Hedding. At a young age Dolores moved to Hartford CT where she met her beloved husband who would be by her side for the next 64 years. Together, they raised a beautiful family together and that is her greatest legacy.

She is survived by her husband Richard F. Tantillo Sr. also of Port Charlotte and her three children along with their partners; Carol Nedweden and James McCay of Port Charlotte, Richard Tantillo Jr. and Michelle M. Tantillo of North Port and Victoria Chandler of Port Charlotte. Her eight grandchildren; Michael Nedweden of CT, Olivia Lacy of Mansfield, CT, Eleanor Nedweden of Port Charlotte Gabrielle Nedweden of Mansfield CT, Micaela Glover, Wyatt Chandler, Maggie Chandler and Jason Chandler all of Port Charlotte, were the center of her world. Dolores was blessed with five precious great-grandchildren; Cash Lacy, Roy Lacy both from Mansfield, CT and Charlotte Lindstrom of Port Charlotte and Aly Glover and Brandon Glover of Port Charlotte. She will also be deeply missed by her five siblings: Linda Toft of Windsor,CT Deborah Malasky of Plainville CT, John Parlante of Hebron CT, Tim Parlante of East Hartford CT, Tina Conklin of Stafford, CT along with many nieces and nephews.

Always a hard worker, and after running the family business Rich’s Drive-In for more than 20 years alongside her husband and son, Dolores finally decided to slow down and enjoy life a little more. She moved to Florida in 2008 to enjoy the grandchildren and embrace the friendlier climate while escaping the Northeast winters.

Cherished by many, all who loved and cared for her will miss her dearly. A piece of her will eternally remain in each of her children's hearts. She enjoyed life and loved being around family and friends. She particularly loved the holidays and would look for any reason to host a family gathering or Sunday diner where she would cook family recipes handed down over the generations. She deeply valued tradition and her love of family is something she truly instilled in her children. Dolores was kind, generous and happiest when surrounded by her the family.