Dolores 'Dodie' M. Leggio

Dolores ‘Dodie’ M. Leggio, age 83, of Annandale, NJ passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at home.

Dodie was a lifelong Annandale resident, known and loved by everyone who lived in town. For 52 years, her home was the heart of Annandale. Dodie was the affable host, with an open-door policy that welcomed one and all. Her pool yard hosted many birthday parties, barbecues, and summertime get-togethers. Countless after-school lunches and coffee chats gathered at her kitchen table. Her home was the Christmas Eve spot for family and friends from all walks of life.

Dodie’s open-door policy extended beyond people to “God’s critters” (as she affectionately called them) of Center Street. Over the years, she welcomed colonies of stray cats and kittens into her home, which she loved and cared for as family. She greeted songbirds at her window every morning with a gourmet blend of nuts and seeds. Her backyard became a neighborhood hot-spot for wildlife, which was surely regarded as one of the finest dining destinations in the Tri-State area.

Animals that did not find their way to her home found her at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, where she spent years as their most dedicated volunteer. “Gracie,” the mild-mannered black bear, became a household name. One of her proudest accomplishments was winning a fundraising contest at Woodlands. As a token of triumph, she was awarded a highly-coveted spot on a trip to release a pack of bear cubs she cared for back to their natural habitats.

Dodie’s care for “God’s critters” was only surpassed by her love of her work. A common refrain was: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Dodie drove school buses for North Hunterdon/Voorhees School District for nearly 40 years and reminisced on those days as some of her happiest. Her lasting, positive impact was apparent in the abundance of joyful smiles from students that would stop by her house or greet her in town, even years after her retirement. 

For many, Dodie will be remembered most as a fun-loving, charismatic, and welcoming friend. Over the years, she organized daily “Breakfast Clubs.” She became a regular at these restaurants and was greeted with the same joyful smiles by her usual waitresses. Her affable nature made it easy to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy a hot “cuppa” black coffee, an omelet, and, if she was lucky, coffee-flavored frozen yogurt from Gronsky’s.

Dodie was predeceased by her husband, Frank P. Leggio, who passed away in 2012 after 44 years of marriage, and her parents, Lester and Marjorie Hann Ader. Dodie leaves behind an ever-present and loving family “village.”

Above all else, she was most proud of her children, Margie and son-in-law Walter Campbell of Annandale, NJ; Annie, and her late husband William Ryan of Whitehouse Station, NJ; and Frank “Frankie” P. Leggio Jr. of Whitehouse Station, NJ. Overlooking her chair in the living room hangs a framed quote: “there are two gifts that you give your children: one is roots, the other, wings.” She emulated this saying and imparted both gifts on her children. 

She was an adored grandmother to two granddaughters, Emily and Abby Campbell of New York, NY. Together, they spent summers swimming in the pool yard, afternoons watching Dr. Phil, and evenings making ice cream runs (or trips to Sonic for a truly special treat: a peanut butter cup Sonic Blast – with extra peanut butter cups, of course!). She looked forward to their regular visits and phone calls where they spent time sharing their accomplishments, joys, and dreams. Dodie met even their craziest ideas with unwavering support, encouragement, and positivity. 

She infinitely loved her two surviving sisters, Sandy Pill and her husband Dickie of Alpha, NJ, and Nancy Ader of Califon, NJ. Countless hours were spent in roaring laughter as they reminisced on their adventurous childhoods and vibrant adolescence. The trio rarely left each other’s sides. She was also an adored aunt to two nephews, Michael Pill of Westbrook, CT and Ryan Cusack of Washington, DC. 

Calling hours will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 11am. All at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Cokesbury, NJ, with reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, 676 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ 08867.

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