Doris Zito

Doris Zito of Charleston, SC and formerly of Southold NY, joined the Angels on Thursday, February 1, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was 87 years old. Her Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Wednesday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home.

Doris was born October 19, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York to Molly (nee Marsarsky) and Joseph Martucci. She was the younger sister to her only sibling Robert, who predeceased her.

On her 21st birthday, she married the love of her life, Dominick P. Zito, in Bronx, NY. Together they raised four daughters. She was primarily a devoted homemaker and partner to her husband. In 1968, the family moved from Queens to Southold, and purchased the Southold Inn, where Doris, always at her husband’s side, converted the Inn from a Tavern and Pizza restaurant, to a full sit-down, highly-rated restaurant and Inn. Together they befriended many locals that they served, and became well known and loved by everyone who came to the restaurant.

In 1977, Dom and Doris leased the restaurant portion of the Inn to the Hascoats, who ran it as La Gazelle. Dominick pursued a career as a Psychologist, while Doris continued her love for baking and cake decoration, starting a small cake decorating business. Over the years, she worked in a couple of local bakeries and went to work in the craft departments at the Arcade in Greenport.

Doris had many hobbies, including needlework, painting and pottery. She also enjoyed singing, dancing and acting at the Northfolk Theatre, of which she was a member.

Upon retirement in 1996, Dom and Doris relocated to Charleston, South Carolina. Doris continued her love for crafting and volunteered at Bishop Gadsden retirement community, where she assisted the residents with various crafts. She was also a volunteer at The Charleston Aquarium and the Neonatal Department of Bon Secours-St. Francis Hospital.

Doris was predeceased by her husband in April, 2010. She is survived by her daughters: Nancy Orientale (Gerard) of Southold NY, Alice Leto of Charleston, SC, Joan Zito-Decker (Brett) of Charleston, SC and Dawn Zito of Palm Coast, FL. She was a loving and devoted grandmother of nine grandchildren: Kaela Zito-Manno (Leonardo) Nick Orientale, Danielle Peters (Aaron), Nicole Leto, Karley Leto, Aiden Decker, Genna Decker, Alexis McDonnell and Zander Posner. She was a loving great-grandmother to eight great-grandchildren: Roman and Domiano, Gavin and Jacob, Colten, Hayden and Peyton, and Zane. She is also survived by her nephew, Joe Zito, several other nieces and nephews, and cousins Nancy Nierenberg and Abbie Greene.

Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, INC. (843) 766-1365.