Margherita Manzione

Former Dongan Hills resident Margherita Manzione, 77, of Toms River, N.J., a retired dental assistant who will be remembered for her great smile and loving personality, died Saturday in daughter's Grant City home.

Born Margherita DiMatteo in Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood, she graduated from Central Needle Trades High School in her native borough.

Mrs. Manzione was always familiar with Staten Island, having spent most of her teenage summers in her family's South Beach bungalow. During that time, she met future teen idol Bobby Darrin, and the two briefly dated, family said.

After she and Joseph Manzione wed in 1958, the couple moved to West Brighton, shortly thereafter, they moved to Dongan Hills. In 1996, she relocated to Holiday City in Toms River.

She had worked as a sales representative and office manager at Robb Decorators in Port Richmond for 13 years. She then worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Elizabeth Zurawski in New Dorp for 12 years, until retiring in 1996.

She enjoyed gardening and was a frequent shopper at the QVC network. She was also fond of animals, and enjoyed the companionship of her pet dog, Bella, a toy poodle. In addition, she rooted for the New York Rangers and was a loyal fan of the television series The Walking Dead.

She took pride in her cooking and was most known for her Sunday sauce and meatballs.

She was devoted to her family, and most of all, loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a strong, kind woman who was an inspiration to others. Her beautiful smile could light up the darkest room. She was loved by her family and friends and touched the hearts of those around her. She will be deeply missed, family said.

Her husband of 58 years, Joseph, died in 2012.

She is survived by her sons, Joseph and Vincent; her daughter, Doreen Dell'Olio; her brother, Leonard DiMatteo; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: St. Ann's RC Church Wednesday, February 18, 2016 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, February 17, 2016 5-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Ann's RC Church