Dorothy Amelia Sambiagio

Dorothy Amelia Sambiagio passed away peacefully at home at the age of 97. Born March 7, 1928, in Detroit Michigan, she was the daughter of Mike and Minnie (Stevens) Early. She spent her early years in Detroit and Mackinaw Island where her father’s family were residents. She worked many jobs including Hudson’s Detroit, and the Grand Hotel, Mackinaw. She was proud to be a Kelly Girl for many years, too. Dorothy was a poll worker, census-taker, and worked with the Petersburg Planning Commission for many years.

Dorothy was an avid bowler most of her life until her late 80’s, playing in leagues in Detroit, Deerfield, and Forest View. She made many friends at the lanes. She played softball in many leagues in her younger years.

Dorothy was active until nearly the end of her life. She celebrated her 90th birthday with a tandem jump from 14,000 ft at Skydive Tecumseh in 2018, checking off a long-held bucket-list item. She participated in the Petersburg Rose Run for many years, completing a 5k at 95 years old in 2023. She was regularly the winner in her age class (even if many times she was the only one in her class!). She often attributed her long life to remaining active and was happy to be an inspiration to others to do the same.

She returned to Mackinaw Island with Flatrock Community Center for many years with friends and loved every second on the Island and staying at the Grand Hotel. She was particularly excited about the chance to take a dip in the Esther Williams swimming pool at the landmark hotel.

Dorothy was an animal lover. She kept the local birds, squirrels, stray cats fed daily. She loved her many pets over the years.

She is survived by her loving husband and caregiver, Louis Sambiagio; her sons, Michael (Kristi) Sambiagio, Kevin (Annie) Sambiagio, and Dino (Angie) Sambiagio; her granddaughters, Kylie (Sambiagio) Bell, Grace Sambiagio, Ava Sambiagio, and Sarah (Sambiagio) Hendrix, and beloved great-granddaughter, Arya Bell. Her brother M. Joseph (Joe) Early survives her. She is survived, also, by her special friend, Denise Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Minnie Early; siblings, Robert (Bob) Early, John (Jack) Early, William (Bill) Early, Cathy Early Andress, and Pat Early McKiernan.

A private Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe Humane Society.