Dolores Gongora

On October 24 th , 2023, Dolores Góngora, loving mother, grandmother
and great grandmother died peacefully in her home at the age of 93
surrounded by her loving family. 
Lolita, as she was known to family and loved ones is survived by her
daughters, Karen and Lisette Góngora, her grandchildren Jeremy and
John Michael Jelliffe and their wives Stephanie Barefield and Tiffany
Jelliffe, her granddaughters Stephanie Louise Opper-Scanga, her
husband Eric Opper-Scanga and Gabriela Noelle Opper, her great
granddaughters, Josephine Stanhope Jelliffe, Koralee Parisse Jelliffe,
Ellington Kate Jelliffe, and great grandson Wolfgang Jack Jelliffe. 
Dolores was born on February 17, 1930 in San Antonio, Cuba and
spent most of her youth in Santiago de Cuba until she married
Rolando on October 26, 1957.
She lived in the Bronx most of her life, where she raised their two
daughters, Karen and Lisette, and suffered the loss of their son,
Henry. Lolita dedicated herself to her family, home and many diverse
interests and jobs. In Cuba, she was a teacher and also worked at
Sears in their credit department. When she married, she moved to
NYC and worked in the garment industry and in sales for Stanley
Home Products. In the early 70’s she started a garment business that
employed several stay at home moms. This business grew as she
supplied Greenwich Village with Dashikis, Dejelavas, and assorted
outfits she designed made of fabrics imported from India. Once she
was able to obtain her school records from Cuba, she began working
for the NYC BoE. Nonetheless, she went back to school to obtain her
American college degree. After retiring from the NYC BoE, she spent
most of her time with family and friends, of which she had many,
doing the things she loved best, sewing, making crafts, tending to
her plants and flowers, spoiling her grandchildren, and shopping. 
Dolores loved her family very much and always put her family first.
She was a caring and generous woman who never thought twice
about  helping others. In fact, she was happier giving than receiving.
As such many can attest to her generosity and compassion. She lived
a full life and she will be deeply missed.

We were blessed to have her for as long as we did. She is now
resting in eternal peace with her husband Rolando and son Henry.

In lieu of flowers, Dolores asked that a donation be made to one of her favorite
charities: St. Jude Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society or Calvary Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dolores Gongora, please visit our floral store.