Dora Bulleri Pierce, 94, widow of James Madison Pierce Sr., passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, after a short illness.
An Italian citizen, she was born in Livorno, Italy, to Luigi and Ruth Bulleri. She was preceded in death by a brother, Giancarlo Bulleri; and sister, Marisa Longeretti. She came to the United States in 1947.
She retired as a tailor from Rices Nachman, Hess and Proffitt Department Stores. Dora went to work at the age of 52, shortly after her husband retired, saying “I’m too young to sit at home and watch TV all day.”
She was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary, the Roma Lodge, the “Friday Bible Class,” the Philippines Culture Center, and also sang in the choir on special occasions at Woodland Baptist Church. She loved the opera, line dancing, being with her family and getting her picture taken. To her, living to the ripe age of 94 was a measure of success and she’d tell anyone how old she was.
Dora is survived by her son, James Madison Pierce Jr.; daughter, Catherine Pierce Fager; five grandchildren, William Fager, Penelope Stanley, and her spouse, Stacy, James Pierce III, Jason Pierce and Tiffany Pierce-Cherry, and her spouse, David; four great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Gavin, Aidan and Phoenix; sister-in-law, Betty Hickey; as well as nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
