Obituary of Dee Gurdo

Dolores “Dee” C. Gurdo, 91, formerly of Clinton and Preswick Glen, passed away, peacefully, on May 22, 2025, with her loving family by her side. She was born March 31, 1934, in Frankfort, NY, a daughter of the late Stephen and Mary (Salamone) Congelo. Dee graduated from Waterville Central School, Class of 1952. In 1956, she received her bachelor’s degree in business from The College of New Rochelle. She was united in marriage to Anthony F. Gurdo on September 8, 1956, at St. Bernard’s Church in Waterville. They shared a blessed union of 46 years until his passing on October 25, 2002. 

Dee was a natural caregiver, always putting others ahead of herself. She brought much joy to the family as a talented cook and baker of traditional holiday treats. Dee loved being a mom, bringing her children to practices and games. She was a volunteer for the Clinton Figure Skating Club and served as a seamstress and Makeup Chairperson for the annual ice shows for many years. Dee was a Mary Kay Cosmetics Beauty Consultant for over 40 years, and she also volunteered weekly for 40 years at the Harding Nursing Home, Waterville, where she delighted the residents with conversation and facials.

Dee was a member of bridge clubs including the Tuesday Bridge Club at Alteri’s Restaurant. She also enjoyed playing golf and socializing with many friends at the Skenandoa Club. Dee enjoyed many happy Gurdo-Mullen family reunions at the Jersey Shore. Dee was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church for 58 years where she enjoyed volunteering for the annual Church Bazaar with her dear friend, Lucy. Later in life, Dee discovered her joy of singing, and she could be found entertaining the community at Preswick Glen and the Presbyterian Home.

She will be greatly missed by her children and their spouses, Diane (Shane) Newell of Chicopee, MA, Annette Gurdo of New Hartford, Anthony F. Gurdo, Jr. of Clinton, John (Amy) Gurdo of Fort Edward, and Maria (Steven) Broccoli of New Hartford; former daughter-in-law, Deborah Gurdo of Clinton, and former son-in-law, Gregory Lawler of Blossvale; her beloved grandchildren, Vincent Newell, Jonathan (Kathryn) Newell, Nicole (Christopher) Marcus, Kezia Lawler, Anthony (Jessica) Gurdo, Stephen Gurdo, Courtney Heald, Steven Broccoli, Jr. and fiancée Kathleen Arcuri, Vincent Broccoli, and Nicholas Broccoli; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Anthony, Sabatino, Lydia, Ruby, Luke, and Jack. She will also be missed by her dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Anthony F. Gurdo Sr., sister and brother-in-law, Mary C. and Martin Cleary, and sister, Ann “Bunny” Congelo; in-laws, Kathleen and Thomas Mullen; grandson Nicholas Heald.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 9:30am at St. Mary’s Church, Clinton. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Utica. All are invited to visitation on Friday, May 30, 2025 from 5pm-7pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College Street, Clinton. 

Donations may be given in Dee’s memory to the Rescue Mission of Utica, 293 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501.