Dorothy C. Mirande

Dorothy C. Mirande passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2015 at Saint Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. She was 85. Born in Montclair, NJ, Mrs. Mirande has been a long time resident of Colonia NJ, then retiring to Toms River NJ, and lastly to Lower Bucks County to be closer to her boys for support in her declining years. Beloved wife of 63 years to Thomas, Mrs. Mirande is the loving mother of Thomas III, Stephen J. (Candis S.), David C. (Joan) and Richard J. (Sharon) Mirande. She will also be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Thomas J. IV, Michael J., Emily A., Christian H., Andrew T., Jessica L. and Richard C. Mirande and her sisters and brother, Eileen Sinnott and William Holl and Mary Marion. Growing up in a large musical family the piano was the center piece with Pop-Pop at the keys and the kids breaking into songs just like the old Andy Hardy movies. The specialty of the house was harmonizing and tap dancing, both of which Dot would continue to do throughout life. Every wedding, birthday or dinner party had its moments of song, play acting and joking around that would have had Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney feeling right at home. Dancing naturally fed into the 1940-50s roller skating craze where Dot and three of her sisters formed a synchronized team in matching outfits at the Florham Park NJ rink so stunning that they ended on the cover of the cover of the local Sunday Parade magazine section. And this is when and where Dot was eyed up by one of the skating guards, a young fleet-footed former Navy guy named Tom who made the play for his mate for life. Dot continued performing in amateur dance shows with her sisters through the 1960s, but we all really knew it was all about the outfits which were a source for more costume parties with the sisters. For her 4 boys she encouraged them all to enjoy life and to not stand on the sidelines - just get out there and dance she said whenever there was music and sing aloud in the car to all your favorite songs. In between dances Dot enjoyed a challenging game of bridge and like a pool shark she would hook people into games at the swim club, or any breakfast, lunch or dinner, which would naturally lead into professional competitive play to increase the challenge. Into the 1980 and 1990s Dot resurrected her career with the "Calendar Girls' dance troupe of long legged seniors performing regularly in shows up and down the Jersey shore culminating with performances on the big stage at the Taj Mahal Casino with Tom acting as the tour's agent and photographer. Dot enjoyed her grandchildren and yes she had the girls dressing up in those costumes - it was a flashback, or a reliving of the earlier moments with her sisters with all its glitter, glamor and feathers but this time with the next generation. She leaves us all with memories of her sweet disposition, her sense of humor and above all go-out-and-enjoy-life spirit. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, from 7:00 until 9:00 pm at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown PA. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am Thursday, May 28. 2015, at Queen of the Universe Church, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, followed by the Rite of Committal in Washington Crossing National Cemetery. There will be no calling hours on Thursday morning.