Maria Lamorte died at her home on Aug. 4. She was 82.
Lamorte was born in New York City and moved to Southern California in 1967. She graduated from Washington Irving School of Fashion, where she created a “period” doll that was exhibited in the New York Museum of Natural History. She went on to design clothing and handmade dolls throughout her life.
Lamorte is survived by her husband of 62 years, John; daughter, Joan Lauro and her husband Jim; son John Lamorte Jr. and his wife, Terri; grandchildren Jean Cummings and her husband, Keith, James Lauro and wife Jill; great-grandson John Thomas Cummings; sister-in-law Theresa DiLucchio; niece Adrienne Cassese and nephew Nick DiLucchio.
A memorial service will take place in Malibu on Sunday.