Dolores Josephine DiCurzio-Gosciniak Obituary
Loving wife for 36 years of Ronald Stephen Gosciniak (deceased 1996), mother of Ronald Christopher and Jennifer (née Drab) Gosciniak, and Susan Ann (Gosciniak) and Charles A. Drabik. Proud and loving, determined grandmother of Charles Ronald Drabik, Esq. (Dr. Kimberly Berke), Mary Susan Drabik and Anna Marie Drabik. Dolores, known as Auntie Dee to nieces and nephews, was born in the Italian neighborhood of Cacalupo in Detroit, married Ronald in 1960. Their marriage lasted until dearest Ronald passed in 1996. She was the youngest of four siblings (Italia, Anna and Bernardino) born American of Italian immigrant parents, Nazzareno and Vitalina (Valente) DiCurzio. Her engaging personality and thirst for knowledge about the lives of others she met took her through a long and adventurous career path, blessed with family and friends in all walks of life. Dolores won her battle against colon cancer many years earlier, but the Lord decided that fighting ovarian cancer for the second time was not hers to fight and so, in the presence of her caring son and daughter, He called her home to relieve her and bring her to painless and everlasting life. Dolores had a long and vibrant life proving her ability to learn about anything and put it to practical use. Her many positions and accomplishments were more than many women her age have ever achieved. Some of the high points in her life are included as follows: Lombardi Foods employee at age 15 Graduate of Patronage of St. Joseph 1955, Detroit Great Scott market office employee Graduate of Detroit Business School and Wayne State University student who paid her own way through education Travelers Insurance secretary Kavan's restaurant manager/ hostess Bought first home on Detroit's East Side Moved with family to Fort Lauderdale 1972 Take out restaurant owner with Ronald Moved back to Detroit's East Side 1975 Joanne fabrics salesperson Giant Janitorial secretary Gannett Outdoor advertising secretary Saint Joan of Arc Church rectory cook, Manager, C'è Simone clothing manufacturer, Manager, Perini's Restaurant La Tribune Italian newspaper contributor Michigan Order Sons of Italy program book Director and layout artist.
Michigan Order Sons of Italy Loggia Degli Sport founder and president.
Italian-American historian cooking demonstrator at Michigan State Folklife Festival.
Founder's mother and supporter/member of Mt. Clemens Mustang Club.
Salesperson at Parkway Chrysler (nine cars sold in her first month, topping seasoned salespersons), Mt. Clemens Top salesperson at Alessandra Bridal, Warren Parishioner / volunteer, St. Peter Church of Mt. Clemens St. Mary's School, Mt. Clemens lunch room volunteer.
Italian-American historian of Cacalupo district of Detroit (work featured in Hart Plaza display and in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum, and in the book, Hands Across Michigan) Historian for City of Mt. Clemens Active citizen, election worker of Mt Clemens, dubbed the "Real Mayor" under Mayor Laura Kropp.
Hobbies: socializing with her grandchildren, landscape and still life oil painting, furniture refinishing, gardening, cooking, bowling, listening to Jerry Vale, Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti albums, sewing clothes, traveling Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Toronto, Florida, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Houston, California, Hawaii and Mexico. Her favorite place was whale watching in Hawaii. Dolores attended live theater, concerts and opera, attending hundreds of grandkids' sports practices/games, dance practices/recitals, pet owner to many cats and two dogs, helping to raise her three grandchildren of whom she is very proud. Dolores made easy friends with many people as she loved to get to know everyone around her.
Viewing 10:00am St. Peter Catholic Church, Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
Funeral mass 11:00am April 29, 2023 in St. Peter Church.
Interment following at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, Michigan.
