Delores Dovjak

She was our nut cup making, adventurous, supportive, as stubborn as she was loving, freaking hilarious spelling maestro. Our incredible mother, Delores A. Dovjak, left this mortal coil on December 3, 2024. She will be missed beyond measure, and we will do our best to adapt to this new normal, not only without her but also without the amazing Mr. Wizard, our father, whom we lost earlier this year.

Delores was known to many as our Mummsy, but she also had other colorful nicknames through the years, including Sheeny Britches, Sewer Pipe Annie, DoDo, Lotus, and Big D. Born on February, 23, 1937 in Barberton, OH to James and Katherine (Kalman) Meszaros, she spent the last 10 years of her life in the grip of Alzheimer's/Dementia-a difficult road, but one we navigated with as much love, humor, and patience as we could muster.

From humble beginnings, she was an exceptional student, earning multiple honor roll commendations. But her biggest claim to fame was her prowess as an ace speller. At 14, in the 8th grade at Turkeyfoot School, she made it to the Grand Finals of the 24th Annual Akron Beacon Journal Spelling Bee. As one of 36 finalists, the grand prize was a trip to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, she faltered on the word "perishable." However, her talent didn't end with spelling-she was also a shorthand whiz, clocking speeds of over 100 words per minute. This skill, combined with her dynamic personality, led to her being handpicked by BF Goodrich executives to join a special secretarial program before even graduating high school-a tremendous opportunity for a young woman in the 1950s!

Her high school senior quote, "I'd like to get married in two or three years and have two little girls," turned out to be prophetic. In 1960/61, she went on a blind date at the Akron Rubber Bowl, and that fateful meeting changed the course of all our lives. John Dovjak, a young accordion-playing electrical engineer with a reputable job at Goodyear, proposed by asking, "I am going to California at the end of the week; wanna go with me?" Delores, ever the adventurer, took his hand and said yes. Over the next several years, they shuttled back and forth between Ohio and California as John completed aeronautics courses for the Air Force. In 1970, they settled in Newark, Ohio, where they lived for nearly 50 years and raised those two dream daughters, Sharon and Diane.

Delores was the quintessential stay at home mom- cooking dinner, ironing John's shirts and handkerchiefs, dumping out our bureau drawers if they got too untidy. It was never fun to come home and see our bedroom doors shut! She embraced every crafty fad of the 1970's/80's -knitting, ceramics, plastic canvas, latch hook rugs. beaded Christmas ornaments from LeeWards. Who knew that all those creations would one day be retro and cool? She played golf and tennis briefly but truly found her groove with bowling. From the 1980's to early 2000's she traveled the country with a local group of women, attending bowling tournaments sanctioned by the WIBC (Women's International Bowling Congress). This was not professional by any means, and we recently learned it was a big part of their "housewives midlife crisis!"

Her circle of friends throughout the years was steadfast and she delighted in the camaraderie and support they offered her. Starting with those seminal years at Coventry High School (class of 1955), Delores-then known as Lotus or Big D-had a tight knit group of girlfriends: Joyce (Jers), Marilyn (Mernie or Big M), and Gaylene (Susie) that stayed close for the next 65 + years. These friendships, along with those from her bowling group and her Iowa YAYAs, will continue to bring us comfort as we share her memory with them.

A lover of history, it was often her idea to visit presidential libraries and historical sites on family vacations, much to our dismay, while other families were off to the beach or ski slopes. Traveling was a passion of hers, whether it was with her gal pals or on what we called the "BID (Before I Die)" trips with John-Hawaii, Switzerland, the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival, and the Crazy Horse Volksmarch (which she completed twice, once with each daughter). Sharon fondly recalls how, as a French exchange student, Mom loaded her up with film and stationery, eagerly reviewing French vocabulary in anticipation of the exchange student who would be staying with us. Unfortunately, she didn't recall any of the French language when she finally visited France years later!

Diane's memories of her Mummsy will always include how great a sport she was. The epic photos of Delores sporting mustaches or goofy hats-despite her initial reluctance-are treasured keepsakes. Delores once even went so far as to contact Charles Schulz (as Diane was an avid Peanuts collector) to get a signed birthday card for her. It was a gesture that spoke volumes about her love for her daughters.

In her later years, she gave of her time generously. As a colon cancer survivor (and a strong advocate for colonoscopies-they save lives!), she volunteered locally in Newark with the Cancer Society, Heartbeats, and was a long-time member of the Licking Memorial Hospital TWIGS (4) organization.

Delores is survived by her dream daughters, Sharon Lann (Rick) of Tallmadge, OH, Diane Dovjak of Sarasota, FL, and two wonderful grandchildren Eric and Sarah Lann. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, John, as well as her parents, James and Katherine Meszaros and her brother, Jim Meszaros.

We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Traditions Hospice-Dan, Brent, Collene, Emily, Beth, and Melanie-for their compassionate care in recent years, as well as to Dr. Audra Krebs and Lisa Carpenter (NP). If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, please consider seeking out a local support group for guidance and a compassionate ear. Paula Falk and the Caregiver Support Group at the Friendship Center in Sarasota, FL, were indispensable in helping us navigate this difficult journey.

There will be no funeral or memorial service. Delores will be laid to rest in Lakewood Cemetery, Akron, Ohio, but her adventures will continue as we sprinkle her around the world.

AND next time you go to a Mexican restaurant, raise a Margarita in her honor!

Mommy, we love you a Bushel and a Peck!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Delores' name to:

- The Alzheimer's Association

- The American Cancer Society