Dorothy LEWANDOWSKI

3 OCT 1941 - 24 MAR 2013

• BIRTH: 3 OCT 1941, Toledo, OH
• BURIAL: St. Ignatius Cemetery, Oregon, OH
• DEATH: 24 MAR 2013, Oregon, OH

• MARRIAGE: 24 AUG 1963, Toledo, OH

INDEX

[N5438] Dorothy Kachmarik
Oct. 3, 1941 - March 24, 2013
OREGON, OH - Dorothy A. (Lewandowski), age 71, of Oregon, OH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2013, while in hospice care at the Michiana Rehabilitation Center. Born October 3, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Mieczkowski) Lewandowski. A lifelong Toledo area resident, she graduated from Toledo Central Catholic High School in 1959, and married the love of her life, Edward Kachmarik, on August 24, 1963. They were introduced to each other through polka music by their older brothers, who had formed their own polka band called The Larry Richards Orchestra. They shared their first polka dance together soon after, and the rest was history. They made their home in Ed's hometown of Oregon, where he was a teacher, principal and administrator. They raised four boys on Norcross Drive, where the family had many fond memories. As a devout Catholic, she started playing the organ at Toledo's St. Vincent De Paul church during high school and then continued her musical and religious service as a founding member of St. Jerome Church in Walbridge, where she was the organist and choir director for over 30 years. Dorothy devoted her life to helping and serving others, and would tirelessly go above and beyond for the chance to touch someone's life in a special way. She loved spending time with her family and friends, hosting countless get-togethers and holiday parties. She was a talented cook and baker who loved to bake elaborate pies and cakes for family and friends' birthdays, weddings and other special occasions. Her Polish coffee cake was a particular favorite. She also loved traveling with Ed, which usually entailed visiting her children, grandkids, and other family members and friends. She volunteered her time to many activities and organizations including Coy Elementary, where she was a reading/teacher's aide, room mother, and president of the Coy School Mothers Club. She was also an active member of various Clay High School parents' associations. As her sons got older, she worked at the Oregon Animal Hospital and cherished the friendships she made with all of the staff and longtime clients in her 27 years there. She is survived by her 4 sons and daughters-in-law, Scott (Lynn), Craig (Louise), Kevin (Laura), and David (Kelly); brothers, Larry (Pat) Lewandowski and Dan (Marge) Lewandowski; sister, Lori (Kamal) Kotaich; in-laws, Richard (Janet) Kachmarik, Tina Kachmarik and Bev Lewandowski; grandchildren, Katy, Taylor, Josh, Evan, Carter, Kyla, Connor, Maggie and Owen Kachmarik; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence & Mary Lewandowski; husband, Edward; father & mother-in-law, Frank Kachmarik and Magdalen (Kondel) Kachmarik-Gibel; stepfather-in-law, Andrew Gibel; brother, Dick Lewandowski; and brother-in-law, Frank Kachmarik Jr. Friends may visit at the Sujkowski Funeral Home of Rossford, 830 Lime City Rd., on Monday, April 1, 2013, from 2 to 8 p.m., where a Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, April 2, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 300 Warner Street in Walbridge, beginning at 10 a.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. John DeRiso, C.S.C., and Rev. Al Ceranowski presiding. Interment will be at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Oregon. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jerome Catholic Church. To leave condolences for the Kachmarik family please visit www.sujkowskirossford.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on March 31, 2013