Dolores Debeaumont

Dolores “Dot” (Gabriel) deBeaumont of Croydon, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2024 at home with her family by her side. She was 91 years old.

Born on a farm in what is present-day Levittown, Dot was one of 14 children of Natale and Gatana (Dodaro) Gabriel. Living an idyllic childhood with her siblings as built-in friends, she laid eyes on Joe deBeaumont as a teenager and immediately declared, “I am going to marry that boy one day.” Following this declaration, Dot often bribed her older brother Frank to let her accompany him when he fueled up at the gas station where Joe worked.

Following the Korean War and Joe’s service in the Army, Dot made good on her promise. The two of them married in 1954 and spent 39 wonderful years together. She spent the early part of their marriage as a homemaker, raising three children and spoiling everyone in the family with her exceptional Italian cooking that included her still-famous homemade meatballs, spaghetti, and lasagna.

Once her children were out on their own, Dot moved on to a dedicated career as a Supervisor at Eastern State School and Hospital in Bensalem. Her personal commitment to the children who lived there was always evident, as she often took them shopping or to an arcade on her own time in the off hours. Her compassionate and loving nature touched the lives of many.

In her retirement, Dot enjoyed playing Yahtzee and cards with her friends, visiting Parx Casino, cheering on and/or cursing at the Phillies accordingly, and frequent trips to Wildwood with the family. She even got to enjoy a couple slices of her favorite Mack’s Pizza the very week before her passing.

Dot was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph deBeaumont, sons John and Derek, daughter-in-law Alice, best friends Mary Scott and Mildred Weber, and her parents and 13 siblings.

Dot is survived by her devoted daughter Antoinette Williams, daughter-in-law Lisa deBeaumont, grandchildren Melissa (Brent), Paul (Valerie), Dan, Catherine, and Sarah, great grandchildren Christopher, Alex, Austin, and Madison, many nieces and nephews, and her cat Fred.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Viewing at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 601 Bristol Pike, Croydon, PA on Monday, June 3rd from 9:30-10:30 AM followed by her Mass at 10:30 AM. Dot will be laid to rest at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler, Pennsylvania immediately following the Mass.

In honor of Dot deBeaumont, may her memory live on in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to have known her. We hope you always smile when you think of her. May she rest in eternal peace.