(Obituary lovingly written by family)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Dolores Smith Nowak, at the age of 87. Mom passed quietly at home surrounded by her family.
Dolores was born in Chester PA. in 1935 to Sarah and John Smith. Early in life, Mom met the love of her life, Joseph Nowak. They married shortly afterwards and immediately started a family. During the next ten years Dolores and Joe had four children.
In 1965 Dolores and Joe moved to Fairfax in Wilmington, Delaware where they spent the next 10 years. In 1976, they built a new home in Tavistock where they spent the rest of their lives.
Dolores adored her family and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved gardening and enjoyed spending many hours tending to her back yard plants, playing fetch with her dogs and watching the many birds who visited her feeders. Dolores loved watching Villanova men’s basketball, Joe’s alma mater. Dolores also loved her Friday morning garage sales and without fail, Friday mornings at the farmer’s market. The family has fond memories of family vacations in Lewes, Delaware and family crab feasts at their home with crabs caught by Joe. Dolores was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed the trips she took to Ireland to visit her homeland
Dolores had a heart of gold and had lifelong friends who will surely miss her. We were always amazed at the warmth and love her friends would exude when speaking of our mother. She never spoke ill of a soul and always had a bright smile for everybody. Her friends always knew if there was anything anybody needed, she would be the first to help in any way needed.
By far our mother’s greatest passion and love were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. They were her life, and she was happiest when the whole family gathered. Dolores never stopped being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to us all.
Dolores was predeceased by her parents, John and Sarah Smith; her sister, Winnie; brother, John; her husband, Joe; and her nephews, Jimmy and Michael Smith. She is survived by her children: John (Maryann), Mary, Joanne (Dahlia), and Kathleen (Tom), her grandchildren Kellie, Michelle, Catherine (Abby), Alison and Gabriel; and Tegan, her great grandchild.
A visitation will be held from 9:15 to 10:45 on Friday, April 22, at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home (3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803), followed by a service at St. Mary Magdalen Church at 11am. Burial will take place at St. Joe’s on the Brandywine.
Please send donations to St. Jude Charities or Faithful Friends of Delaware in the name of Dolores Nowak.
