Dolores Zaleski

1936 - 2021

Dolores Zaleski, 84, of New Milford, died Saturday at the Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center, Sturges, from complications of COVID-19.

Born Oct. 3, 1936, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Helen Gladys Kazmierczak and was fondly known as Dodie. She was the class of 1954 valedictorian from West Scranton High School and in 1956 she married the late Leonard Zaleski. She moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and was employed by Carpenter Steel and Wright Investors Service. While working full-time, she went to college at night and graduated second in her class with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Dodie moved to New Milford in 1981 and was employed by Pompey Auto Group, Kingston Dodge, Koerner Ford and Gibbons Ford in Dickson City, from which she retired. She was a savvy businesswoman and enjoyed following her investments.

Dodie loved to spend time with her sisters, nieces and nephews. She enjoyed fine dining and wine with her family. She loved her cats and rescuing any strays that came her way. She was a supporter of various charities and animal shelters. She also enjoyed dancing, traveling and sewing her own clothes; however, her favorite pastime was her gardening and flowers. She had a plethora of flower gardens sprinkled over her land in New Milford and when she retired spent all her spring and summer days from dawn to dusk working in her flower beds. Many people would stop and compliment her on her exquisite gardens and land.

She is survived by two sisters, Jeanette Dick and husband, Ray, of Kingsley; and Linda Hayes, of Kingsley; a brother-in-law, Art Novak, of Scranton; six nieces and nephews, Mary Lynn Hayes and husband, Billy Wheeler; Jimmy Hayes and wife, Carla; Jennifer Housel and husband, Bob; Kelly Burke and husband, Dave; Brian Dick and wife, Diana; and Michael Novak; eight great-nieces and great-nephews; and several cousins.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Novak; and a brother-in-law, Jim Hayes.

Due to the pandemic, a private funeral Mass will be held and interment will take place at the Harford Cemetery in the spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Clifford.

Memorial contributions can be made in Dodie's name to True Friends Animal Welfare Center, 16332 SR 706, Montrose, PA 18801; or to the donor's favorite charity.

To share condolences and photos with Dodie's family, visit her book of everlasting memories at www.parisefu

neralhome.com.