Esteemed retired Farmingdale Kindergarten teacher Dolores Cianciabella recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She was “queen for a day” as her children and grandchildren surprised her with a 40-plus car birthday drive-by in her honor.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
Cianciabella’s life exemplifies the professional and volunteer spirit. She raised three children while earning a teaching degree at Hofstra University and began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Farmingdale’s Woodward Parkway School. In 1971, she completed an Early Childhood Master’s Degree at Adelphi University. Cianciabella broadened her knowledge by traveling all over the world to learn about education in other countries. In 1980 she began volunteering at Our Lady of Lourdes Church bingo night and has continued for 35 years. From 1982-84, the longtime educator taught pre-K religion class to youngsters so their parents could attend Mass.
In 1992, she retired from the Farmingdale School District after teaching classes with 50 children a day (two sessions) for 26 years. Her volunteerism broadened when she joined Farmingdale AARP and worked in a Grandparent Program for Head Start. Cianciabella worked for 10 years with underprivileged children and in 1993, she started volunteering at Mid-Island Hospital, which is now called St. Joseph’s. Cianciabella continues to volunteer there every Tuesday, where she works in Community Relations and visits patients to offer comfort.
Cianciabella joined the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCoF) in 1980 as a Nite-Lite (evening division for working women). While in Nite-Lites, the General Federation of Women requested clubs to conduct programs stressing reading to children. Cianciabella dived right in and created a reading program at the Farmingdale Library during the summer for 5-6 year olds. She and members of the Women’s Club read one-on-one to the children.
From 2004-06, Cianciabella served as Corresponding Secretary in the Women’s Club. Her role took on more responsibility when she offered to help the new president with her duties as needed. As a result, she was elected president in 2006-08. Her goal was to bring in new members and during Cianciabella’s administration, 10 new members joined and became actively involved in all aspects of club activities. Several of them moved on to hold positions on the executive board.
During Cianciabella’s administration, the club donated $2,050 to repair and re-build the fountain in the Farmingdale Village Green. She helped design a Club cookbook, worked on the Village Beautification Committee and served as a one-time Chairman for Art in the Park. Monies raised made it possible for the Women’s Club of Farmingdale to present a $1,000 scholastic award to a Farmingdale art student.
With all this volunteer work, Cianciabella still finds time to enjoy bridge, is a member of a book club and writes short stories. She initiated a creative writing group that chronicles family memories into short stories. One of Cianciabella’s stories won first place at the General Federation of Women’s Club of New York State and again at the GFWC National level. In 2016, Cianciabella was honored with the Nassau County “Woman of Distinction” Award.
—Submitted by the Women’s Club of Farmingdale
