Dolores I. Choltko

1928 - 2025

Dolores "Dee" I. Choltko, of Lower Burrell. A life well lived. At 97 years old, our beautiful mother went home to be with her Lord and Savior and was reunited with her husband again on Nov. 5, 2025, at Concordia at Cabot. She was born on May 5, 1928, in Creighton, to the late Ollie and Mary Skudneski. She lived in Lower Burrell for most of her life and was so proud of the house that she and her husband, Richard, bought in 1964, where many unforgettable memories were made. She moved to Concordia Apartments in Cabot in 2023, until January of this year, when she moved to personal care. She worked as a Bell Telephone operator for 18 years before choosing to become a stay-at-home mother, and the best mother she was. She loved cooking, baking, decorating, entertaining, and caring for those she loved. We couldn't wait to pick our meal and cake for all of our birthdays, as she always made them special. She loved crafts and made over 65 Christmas stockings for all the new babies. Most of all, she loved being with her family and friends, still going to bingo, camp, dinners, and outings. She was a woman of great faith. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary's in Lower Burrell, where she was involved with the quilting group and making of the nut rolls. It is her recipe that they still use. She was so proud of that. She was a life member of VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell. Survivors include her son, Richard (Jean) Choltko of Greensburg; daughters, Maria (Tom) McAfoose of Lower Burrell and Lynn (Brian) Culleiton of Leechburg; grandchildren, Ashley McAfoose (AJ Kinlaw), and a great-grandson on the way, of Hilton Head, SC, Jonathan McAfoose (fiancee Kirsten DePanicis) of Lower Burrell, Ryan Zidek (Kelly) of Pittsburgh, and Sara Zidek (Austin) of Greensburg; sister-in-law Taffy Skudneski; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in 2002; her brother, Alex Skudneski; and her sister, Celestine Derringer. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at RUSIEWICZ OF LOWER BURRELL FUNERAL HOME, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder St., where Prayers of Transfer will be said at noon, Monday, followed by Christian Funeral Mass at 12:30 p.m. in St. Margaret Mary Church. Burial will be private in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Margaret Mary's food bank in Lower Burrell or Homeless Cat Management Team, 1627 Union Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065. www.RusiewiczFH.com