Mary "Margie" Marjorie (Andreoli) Dante

Mary Marjorie (Andreoli) Dante- "Margie" passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, after a short illness at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.   She was the loving wife of James J. (Jimmy) Dante who passed away in 1988.

Margie was born in Torrington, CT on May 9, 1920, to Nicholas and Theresa (Perotti) Andreoli of Torrington.  She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and relatives who participated in a birthday parade outside her home. She is predeceased by her younger siblings, John (Johnnie) Andreoli and Angelina (Angie) Cappellina.

Margie leaves her daughter, Sharon E. Dante with whom she lived with in Torrington for the last 20 years and a son, Joseph J. Dante and his wife Penelope Byrne of Winchester Center.  Her pride and joy was being “Nonnie” to her grandchildren, Greg Dante, his wife Liz of Wallingford, Jessica Rich, her husband David of Unionville and her great-grandchildren Briella Dante Rich and Gavin Theodore Rich whom she loved dearly.  She also leaves many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews and great- great nieces and nephews all around the country.

In the late 1930's/early 1940's, Margie's biggest passion was dancing to the big bands. She met her husband, Jimmy, who was a tap dancer and musician, playing trumpet in many local bands. They shared an exciting courtship including their love of dancing and listening to music.  They were married in 1941.

In 1945 with the beginning of the baby boom, Margie and Jim built an addition onto their home and opened the Dante’s Diaper Service.    As one of few young female business executives of that period, Mrs. Dante encountered all of the challenges of operating a service business in the post war years giving her insurmountable knowledge and experience.   In the mid 1950’s The Dante’s Diaper Service was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as Business of the Year.  The business operated for 20 years.

Margie was an avid golfer and member at the Greenwoods Country Club for several decades. During 1960-1969, she was the Woman's Club Champion for 3 years, and Woman's Club Runner Up (2nd place) for 4 years. She was a member of the Connecticut Woman’s’ Golf Association and played in many statewide women's tournaments.  In addition, she was active with the Torrington YMCA during the fall and winter months enjoying attending and occasionally teaching exercise classes and playing volleyball.

In 1968 she co-founded the Torrington School of Ballet with her daughter Sharon.  Mrs. Dante was the registrar and business manager of the TSOB for 48 years.    She was also an instrumental staff member at the Nutmeg Conservatory, founded by her daughter Sharon, whose staff and Board of Directors have since turned that professional training program into a national classical ballet treasure.  In 1983 -1989 she helped to set up and run the first box office for Torrington’s Warner Theatre..  She was instrumental in training the Warner Box Office Staff as the theatre came into its own.  Mrs. Dante continued to work at the TSOB and Nutmeg until her 97th birthday.  The joy of her life was seeing the youngest students come to their very first ballet classes.  She often was seen sharing a cracker or tissue with a youngster who was waiting for a parent or shy about taking their first ballet class.   Many of the students have stories about their time shared with Mrs. Dante and how she cared for their wellbeing.

In addition to her wonderful life, Mrs. Dante was also honored by the UNICO club's Italian Mayor of the Day in 2010.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cook Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church, 99 Main St., Torrington, CT at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, and will also be livestreamed on Facebook.   All relatives and friends attending the Mass are reminded to follow CDC recommendations for COVID prevention -- please follow social distancing guidelines and wear protective masks.  Burial will be private.  There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, 58 Main Street, Torrington or online by visiting nutmegconservatory.org   Condolences may be sent to the Dante family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com