Dolores A. Antkowiak

Dolores Ada Antkowiak

November 9th, 1936 - June 12th, 2013


Our beloved Dolores Ada Antkowiak, 76, of Mesa, AZ was called to our heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 12th, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.

Dolores was born in Chicago, IL on November 9th, 1936 to Bruno and Freda De Paoli. She was an only child with remarkable talents. At an early age she began to perform recitals that included tap and modern dance, theatrical drama and modeling. The love of her life, husband William (Bill) Antkowiak met at a very early age of eight years old and it was love at first sight.

Dolores continued on with her education at Saint Pat's Academy and flourished in the Art of Dance and Modeling. In her sophomore year of high school, Dolores met her love Bill again at a football party and began dating steadily for two years. Her heart was his.

In 1954 and after high school, Dolores became a traveling dancer with the Dorothy Hill Dance Troop. She performed for Ted Mack Amateur Hour show and became Miss Ping Pong for the TV Ping Pong Show. She also performed recitals for Mrs. Walgreens of Walgreens Drug Stores.

Dolores continued with her education at Mundelein College studying Religious Education, as well as maintaining her passion for dance. She also spent a few years working for Kutner & Kutner Advertising Agency on Michigan Ave. in Chicago IL. Dolores was an integral part of the agency and she loved the opportunity to model for them.

Then on September 7th, 1957, Dolores said "I Do" to the love of her life, Bill. They were married at Saint Tarcissus Catholic Church in Chicago, IL. Dolores now had many sisters-in-laws being married to Bill who had four brothers: the late Stanley Antkowiak survived by wife Geri Antkowiak, the late Donald and Dorothy Antkowiak, the late George Antkowiak survived by wife Marianne Antkowiak and brother Roger Antkowiak and wife Bonnie Antkowiak. Dolores suffered a severe loss from the passing of her mother one year later. She was very devoted to her mother Freda, her idol and hero, and thus was affected by her death at a very young age.

Dolores spent two years with her husband Bill in the U.S. Military at Fort Bliss, Texas where she was chosen to work in the Sun Bowl with Margaret Whiting and Miss America of 1959-60.

After the military, Dolores and Bill moved into their dream home in Park Ridge, IL and started their family. Being a stay at home mother was an adjustment especially as she began to raise her adored children. Cory was the first born, her little peanut! Shari came along as the middle child and a feisty one and eight years later adorable Billy surprised us all! Dolores's favorite tool of keeping them in line was with a threat of the infamous wooden spoon. Dolores was a mother not only to her children but also to the neighborhood where she lived. Dolores took under her wing a little freckle-faced, pig-tailed girl named Mary Beth. So now she had four children whom she loved with all her heart! With terrific neighbors she so cherished, they had the time of their lives.

One of many wonderful childhood memories would be that every Sunday, Dolores would cook-up a BIG batch of her homemade spaghetti sauce that would be enjoyed with family and friends.

The years went by and Dolores decided to go back to work. She was offered a position as a teachers'? aide working with behavioral disorder students for the Maine Township High School District and was placed at Maine North and Maine West High School. Her students adored her and called her "Big Red", knowing Dolores stood only 4 feet 8 inches tall! She enjoyed 18 years of service until she retired in 1996 to relocate to sunny Mesa, Arizona with her husband.

Dolores and Bill moved into a beautiful home and enjoyed family and friends visiting. They would relax in the sunshine with their private swimming pool. She also loved boating, gambling and trips to Las Vegas. However, her passion of helping others called her back to work for the Mesa School District where she was an elementary teachers aide for young children.

Feeling the effects of an empty house Bill surprised Dolores with a little white Bichon Frise named Babes. They did their hair in rollers together and relaxed and watched Dolores's favorite TV shows such as the Price is Right and Turner Classic Movies with Babes wrapped around her neck.

Several years later some of her children relocated to Arizona to be reunited with the family and more fun. But in the summer of 2011, Dolores was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer. With her family and wonderful Mesa neighbors and friends, she had an invaluable support system to keep your spirits alive.

With a two-year battle and with her family surrounding her, Dolores passed peacefully on the early morning of Tuesday, June 12th, 2013.

Dolores will be missed by her surviving husband and love of her life Bill (Bye Babe I love you, watch over us) and their children: Cory and Jeff Page, Shari and Mark Pozniak, Bill and Libby Antkowiak, Mary Beth Graves and Vicki Stavrum, and their nine grandchildren: Lauren Page, Tyler Page, Jamie Pozniak, Jordan Pozniak, Sam Antkowiak, Max Antkowiak, Ben Antkowiak, Bill Graves, Jessica Graves and their adoring dog Lexis. She will also be missed by her numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Mass services will be held 10:00 a.m. June 18, 2013 at All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any local St. Jude Children'?s Hospital.

Smart Cremation of Arizona