Dorothy Fifarek

TRAVERSE CITY — Dorothy Alona (Chase) Fifarek, 91, passed away following a brief illness on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Munson Hospice House.Dorothy was born to Raymond and Rosa (Brezina) Chase on March 30, 1921, in Traverse City. She was married to Robert L. Fifarek on June 8, 1946, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City.Dorothy graduated from St. Francis High School in 1939 and attended Lewis Chapin School of Business in Traverse City. During her high school years, Dorothy enjoyed playing piano accordion duets with her brother at various festivals and conventions.Dorothy was employed at J.C. Penney; Tru-Fit Trousers; and Traverse City Junior High School as an assistant to the principal. She was also employed in 1941-48 by Michigan Bell Telephone Company, in the Commercial Department as an instructor. In 1954, she and her husband moved to Manistee.Throughout her life, Dorothy loved caring for her children and excelled in making a wonderful home for them and her husband She also had a passion for volunteer work. She was active with the hospital auxiliary; her roles included serving as the last president of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and as the first president of the West Shore Hospital Auxiliary in Manistee. She also spent many hours working with the Munson Hospital Auxiliary.In addition, much of her time was spent with organizations such as the Brownies and the Girl Scouts; the March of Dimes; the Traverse City Central Athletic Boosters; and Special Olympics. She also served on the Manistee Catholic Central School Board.After her husband's retirement, Dorothy spent the last 30 years of her life living on beautiful Long Lake.Dorothy is survived by her husband of almost 66 years; two daughters, Rosanne Fifarek and Mary Jo Fifarek, both of Traverse City; and two sons, John Fifarek, of Haslett, and James (Jan) Fifarek, of Grand Rapids. She is also survived by her brother, William R. Chase, of Kalkaska; her former daughter-in-law, Lori Hydeck Fifarek, of Traverse City; five grandchildren, Dr. Chase (Katie) Fifarek, John Fifarek Jr., Lauren Fifarek, Sara Fifarek and Kalli Fifarek; seven nephews; and numerous other relatives and close friends.Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Anna Fifarek; a brother-in-law, Dr. Philip Lynch; and her sisters-in-law, Nellie (McFarren) Chase, Alice (Fifarek) Wright and Georgia (Fifarek Lynch) Synnestvedt.The family would like to thank Munson Emergency, the A-4 Heart Center, ICU, and the Hospice House doctors, nurses and staff for their quality care and great kindness to their mother.They would also like to thank all the Eucharistic ministers, Father Donald Geyman, Father Joseph Ortega, and, most especially, Deacon Rene Hoenscheid, for their frequent and caring attention.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church or Munson Hospice House.There will be a visitation for family and friends Friday, April 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary to follow, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.A funeral mass celebrating Dorothy's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, with a visitation one hour prior to the service, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Traverse City. Father Don Geyman will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.Kindly share memories with the family at Dorothy's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.