She was born in Malden, Massachusetts.

Mrs. D'Amelio served in the Navy during World War II as a Radioman. She was on active duty from 18 November 1943 until 11 December 1945. She received basic code training at the University of Miami and was one of the first WAVES to report to Bainbridge Island, Washington, for Japanese Kata Kana Morse Code training. She then served at the Radio Receiving Facility, Imperial Beach, California. After the war she graduated from Boston University.