Dorene Menichino, 64 of Helena, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer at St. Peter’s Hospital on March 13, 2012. She was born to Ethel Rose (Poll) Schuster and Edwin John Schuster on March 12, 1948.
Dorene was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and attended Grover Cleveland High School. After beginning her nursing career as a volunteer at the age of 15-16 at Wyckhoff Heights Hospital in Brooklyn, she went on to receive her LPN degree. Dorene then attended Brooklyn College and the State University of NY at the Kings County Hospital Center where she received her RN degree and proceeded to work as an RN at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City for five years. During that time, she met and married Dr. Anthony J. Menichino on October 19, 1977 in St. John Virgin Islands. Shortly thereafter, she and Anthony moved to Andrews, TX where they both went on to work as an RN and Physician at Andrews Medical and Surgical Clinic. They returned to Philadelphia for one year where Dorene worked as an RN on the cardiac service at Hahnemann University Hospital. They then moved to Buffalo, NY and she worked for three years at the Manhattan Manor Nursing Home while Anthony completed his surgical training. They had one child during that time period and two more shortly after. She then decided to raise the children and remain a mother and homemaker. In the year 1997, the Menichino family moved to Helena, MT, where the children attended St. Andrews school and Dorene had the opportunity to work for several years as a substitute teacher.
Reading a good book, writing letters, spinning pottery, pressing flowers, drawing, swimming at the beach, and pistol/target shooting were some of Dorene’s favorite hobbies. Dorene loved all types of music, especially classical and opera.
Dorene is survived by her husband, Dr. Anthony of Helena, MT; daughters, Gillian and Victoria Menichino; son, Christopher Menichino; step-son, Anthony Menichino; mother, Ethel Schuster; sisters, Arlene Alessi and Jerrilyn LoBello; brothers, Glen Schuster and Edwin Schuster, Jr.; as well as nephew, Edward Alessi; niece, Janine Alessi; brothers-in-law, Edward Alessi and Robert Menichino; and sister-in-law, Domina Schuster.
Dorene was preceded in death by her father, Edwin John Schuster, in 1992.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. with a reception to immediately follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Ann McKenzie says
Tony – Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. I know this is difficult. If there is anything I can do for you – let me know.
Mac’s ANNIE
Bob & Cheryl Summerer says
Our heartfelt thoughts & prayers are with you & your family, Tony, at this difficult time. Dorene will be greatly missed by all those she touched. Sadly, we’ll be in Colo & unable to attend the service.
– Bob & Cheryl Summerer
Chaplain, C. Larry Stiles says
Dear Sir,
I’m so sorry to read of the passing of your wife, Dorene. Please be assured of my continual prayers for you and your family during this the difficult time of your lives.
Charlie Hail says
Tony,
I am so sorry to learn of Dorene’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Charlie
Claudia Morley says
Chris,
I am saddened to hear about your Mom’s passing. Even though it has been several years since you graduated, I have many warm memories of you and your parents support for a great education! I hope you are doing well. Take care, Claudia Morley
Dr. Mike and Diane Carlson Evans says
Dear Tony, Gillian, Vicky and Chris,
We send our heartfelt sympathy and healing prayers in the loss of your wife and mother. Peace to Doreen, and peace to you. We’re sorry we’ll be unable to be with you for the Memorial service. Retirement has enabled us to take the entire month of March to warmer weather. We send our love,
Dr. Mike and Diane
Emmet and Kathleen McNamara and family says
Dear Tony, Gillian, Chris and Vicky,
We are so very sorry to hear about Dorene. It seems only yesterday that we enjoyed one another’s company on Niagara Falls Blvd. The separation was long, but we have never forgotten the friendship and we have cherished, in the intervening years, Dorene’s wonderful letters, full of wit, wisdom, and the love of her family. We will always remember her. You and she are in our thoughts and prayers.
Emmet McNamara
Kathleen McNamara
Peg McNamara
Susie Yates
Lori Marlen says
Dear Tony, Gillian,Chris, and Vicky,
Our family extends our love and sympathy to all of you. We all have such fond memories of Doreen. We always enjoyed spending time with her in our little neighborhood at the Fort. She was a friend and mentor to all of us and we will miss her.
Love, Jim, Lori, Justin, Kaylie, and Melissa Marlen
Richard Van Nice says
To Tony and all of Dorene’s family, peace and comfort.She
and I loved to make each other
smile and laugh. She is and will be missed very much. Love
to you all. Van.
Russ Bell says
My condolences to the family for the loss of this great lady. Throughout her many days of treatment at SPH Cancer Treatment Center she exuded courage and class and always expressed sincere thanks to her caregivers. I will truly miss her.
Wayne and Nancy Beckman says
A wonderful bright light shines before our Lord’s Face.
Our family joins with all those praying for the Menichino family during this time of loss. Dorene was a very good friend to many, and her kindness, her wit, and her deep love of family stands as an enduring good example during her many trials. We bless our memories of her and ask our Lord to give her eternal rest.