Malucci, Dorelle

Dorelle Malucci, 91 years of age, passed away peacefully May 22^nd, 2026.  She was the widow of Louis Malucci and is survived by her daughters, Shelley (Don), Shirley (Warren III), her son David (Donna), her youngest daughter, Dorelle (Richard), and her grandchildren, Ryan, Jason, Laura, Kaitlyn, Emily, and Eileen.

Dorelle Was a native of Syracuse, N.Y. where she spent her years growing into an accomplished pianist.  Her father Edward Flavin worked for the New York Central Railroad, allowing Dorelle to ride the caboose to and from Eastman School of Music where she earned her college preparatory degree.   Traveling back and forth regularly, she finished high school in Syracuse.  Supported and driven by her mother, Irene, also a piano teacher, Dorelle was performing full length recitals at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto by age twelve.

Upon finishing high school, Dorelle studied piano at Oberlin College Conservatory with notable pianist Jack Radunsky.  While there, she met Louis Malucci, her future husband.  Despite a tremendous gift for performance, Dorelle felt called and committed to a life of teaching and instilling her love for music in others.  She took her first job in Sacramento, Ca where she reunited with Louis, who, at that time, was serving on active duty for the US Airforce.  They moved to Whiteman Airforce base in Missouri where they began their family and Mom learned a new kind of strength and independence caring for babies and running a household while Lou was flying.

After a few years, Dorelle and Lou moved back to Lou’s hometown of Fairport, N.Y. There, Dorelle dedicated her life to raising four children and teaching piano to hundreds of students.  She was an active member of the Rochester Piano Teachers Guild as well as the Fairport association for music teachers.  

A quintessential mom, Dorelle spent her time running kids to and from CCD, horseback riding lessons, 4H, boy scouts, flute lessons, little league, girl scouts, band rehearsals, and later on, to various colleges.  She often squeezed these trips between cooking dinner and teaching evening piano lessons.  She inadvertently taught her children patience and understanding as she may have run a bit late at times.  But they also learned trust, knowing that she always did her best and always took on the task by herself.  It was a given that her kids were her primary priority as she made sure that they had every opportunity to develop their gifts and interests.  Once her own children became adults, she transferred her love and energy to the piano students that she taught until turning 80 years old.

Dorelle and Lou were founding members of St. John of Rochester Parish where they sang in the choir for decades.  She was also a voracious reader and a lifelong learner of history.  Dorelle modeled faith every day in her humility, prayer, and quiet service to those around her.  She spent her final days sharing memories with her four children where her laughter and faith assured them that great things lie ahead for her.  We will miss her sense of humor, kindness, and perseverance.  All who knew her recognized her as an enduring source of quiet strength.

Calling hours Wednesday May 27, 2026 10-11:00am at St. John of Rochester Church 8 Wickford Way Fairport, where a Funeral Mass will immediately follow.  Mass can be live-streamed real time at https://www.stjohnfairport.org/streaming