Dominique Dudek

Dominique Dudek, 18, a resident of Pompton Lakes, died Friday, October 29, 2021.
Born in Teaneck, Dominique was raised in Sparta and moved to Pompton Lakes at the age of 8. She was a 2021 graduate of Pompton Lakes High School. As a child, she was always wise beyond her years, and always acted very responsibly. She was mindful, sweet and obedient.
In her teenage years, Dominique became an ever more mindful human. Due to her love of animals, she adopted veganism at the age of 14. Impressively, she became a talented vegan cook, and delighted her family with brownies, cinnamon rolls, bean burgers, and her specialty, curry.
She was also a concerned citizen about the environment and the problems of climate change, and would do all she could to encourage recycling. Later, she would frequent thriftstores with her friend, Frankie. The two would bargain-hunt, find great outfits and had a great time together. It was important to Dominique that she did not add to the garbage piling up in the world.
Inheriting a talent in art from both her parents, Dominique excelled in many mediums. Birthday cards were always created, never store-bought, and were always coloring decorated and thoughtfully put together. She would always write her own poems and rhymes inside the card, as well. She was gifted with an appreciation for language and the ability to string words together in a beautiful, meaningful way. At graduation, her beloved art teacher remarked she was like "a blonde haired Buddha." This likeness fit Dominique well, as she carried herself in such a serene, mindful, and meaningful manner.
A huge part of Dominique's life was her involvement in Crossfit. At the age of 14, recovering from a difficult accident, she took up the sport. She quickly fell in love with its challenges and her sense of accomplishment in achieving her goals. As a young lady, she was gifted a Helen Keller book from her mother, and the quote "You'll find joy in obstacles" became Dominique's mantra. Crossfit gave her clear obstacles and goals to achieve, and her tiny body excelled in lifting weight far heavier than what she herself weighed.
Crossfit became a bonding activity for Dominique and her mother, Kate. The two would regularly attend Saturday workouts together, and traveled to competitions. They would bond every night over their yoga romwod sessions. The times they spent together at Crossfit will always be remembered fondly.
Dominique is lovingly survived by her parents, Marek Dudek and Katarzyna "Kate" Pacana, as well as her brother, Damian. In addition, she will be lovingly remembered by the many members of her extended family in Poland.In addition to her human family, Dominique was well loved by her cat, Skitty, and her dog, Midna. She named them both.
A wake will be held Thursday from 4-8 pm at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be held 10 am Friday at St. Mary's Church, Pompton Lakes. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Magnificat Cemetery, Kinnelon.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dominique's memory to the , where Dominique volunteered many hours of her time, would be greatly appreciated by her family.