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Dorothy Nowak

September 11, 1918 - February 23, 2015
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Friday, February 27, 2015
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, February 27, 2015
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Saturday, February 28, 2015
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
159 Garfield Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-8362

Service

Saturday, February 28, 2015
10:00 AM EST
Sacred Heart of Jusus Catholic Church
159 Garfield Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
459-8362

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Sacred Heart Legacy of Faith Campaign
156 Valley Ave. SW
Grand Raapids, MI 49504

Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Dorothy Nowak created a priceless collection of memories comprised of moments spent with the ones she loved most. She was accompanied by an unwavering faith, and with a desire to serve others her life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Dorothy was a loving wife and devoted mother, but there was nothing she cherished more than doting over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren later in life. She maintained an active lifestyle well into her sunset years, and she was very proud to carry on Polish traditions that were such a vital part of family life in her home. Dorothy will be missed for her strength, her grace, and her generosity, but she will be missed first and foremost for her love.

Nearly a century has passed since our nation had unsafe working conditions and a lack of child labor laws to contend with, and since America’s youth were more often found in the workplace than they were in the classroom they were often the ones who paid the highest price. It was as the first whispers of fall were arriving on the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1918 that Michael and Cecilia (Szatkowski) Smigiel were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Dorothy Frances on September 11th. She was the third of seven children in her family and was raised in the family home on Park Street, SW, alongside her older sister, Florence, and her younger siblings, Edward, Lorraine, Leonard, and Richard. The firstborn of the Smigiel children, Chester, died at birth. Her father worked as an upholsterer while her mother was a homemaker. Although they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, for a short time, Dorothy was a lifelong Westsider.

With a family home that was near Sacred Heart Church, Dorothy was baptized there and received both her holy communion and confirmation there as well. She was a student at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School thru the eighth grade and then spent one year at Davis Tech. Dorothy loved visiting area halls with her friends and went out dancing every weekend, and she also liked helping her father make beer.

Life was forever changed for Dorothy when she became acquainted with a young man from the neighborhood named John F. Nowak. They began dating, and after falling deeply in love they were married on January 15, 1936, at a local Catholic church when Dorothy was 17. They lived in an apartment on Gold Avenue, NW, and together they welcomed three children including Jacqueline, John, and Richard into their hearts and home. Later on they moved to a home at 44 Straight Street, NW, and later at 1214 Park Street across from the church before finally purchasing her parents’ home at 118 Valley Avenue, SW. As a family the Nowaks enjoyed trips to Detroit to see ball games as well as to South Bend, Indiana, and camping in a trailer at Holland State Park, Grand Haven State Park and Pere Marquette Park. Dorothy was a fantastic cook of traditional Polish dishes like kielbasa, Kapusta, and Golumbki, and she also made wonderful cheesecakes, goulash, pies, cakes, and pistachio dessert.

Throughout Dorothy’s life faith was a cornerstone. She was actively involved at church in a variety of ways including in their senior ministry with whom she visited the homebound and nursing home parishioners, and she was also involved with the collection counters, young hearts club, and friendship club. Additionally, Dorothy helped out at the funeral luncheons and festivals. Dorothy was devout in her Catholic faith, and she instilled these same beliefs in her children and grandchildren.

Always a bustle of activity, Dorothy was a woman of many interests. For years she belonged to a sewing bee, the Christian Women’s Club, and St. Laddislaus Aid Society. Together Dorothy and John bowled at Clique Lanes and Wangers Bowling Lanes, and she continued bowling until she was 92 years old! She and John were also on a golf league at Lincoln Golf Course for years. They regularly visited the casinos, and prior to having casinos in Michigan Dorothy and John visited Las Vegas several times. Dorothy was close to her siblings and regularly saw them, and for years she was the one who hosted family holidays. She dearly loved each one of her grandchildren, and she was there for all of their graduations. She was very excited anticipating the birth of her first, great-great grandson, soon to be born. Dorothy was always mindful of her family and made sure she sent out a card for everyone’s birthday and anniversary. After John’s death in 1987 she continued to live on her own in her home. Dorothy enjoyed sitting on her front porch that overlooked John Ball Park every night in the summer, and she looked forward to the neighborhood block party every year. She loved reading the newspaper and magazines in addition to watching some of her favorite television shows.

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Dorothy Nowak filled her days with the people and things she loved most. She was a vibrant and vivacious woman with a quiet strength and graceful courage that were inspiring. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother in addition to being a loyal friend and gracious hostess, Dorothy will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Dorothy F. (Smigiel) Nowak, aged 96, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Marywood Health Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; great-grandson, David Andrew Raggio; her parents, Michael and Cecelia Smigiel; sister, Florence (Alex) Tarachanowicz, Lorraine (Vince) Mojzak; and by her brothers, Edward (Christine) Smigiel, Leonard (Linda) Smigiel, and Richard (Lorraine) Smigiel. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline “Jackie” and David Raggio of Shelby Township; her sons, General (USAF Retired) John and Maureen Nowak of Spring Lake and Naples, FL, Richard and Colleen Nowak of Pompano Beach, FL; sisters and brother-in-law, Emily and Robert Huizenga and Cece Brown; 15 grandchildren: Jim (Sharon), Steve (Amy), David (Kathy), Michael (Karen), Tom (Monica), Dr. Christopher (Rose) Raggio; John (Susan), Michael (Denise) Nowak, Kimberly (Pat) Hatten, Suzie (Pat) Daniels, Lynn (Jimmy) Hutson; Robyn (Steve) Brechting; Nicholas and Nathan Nowak; Shannon Michelson; 27 great-grandchildren: Liana, Adria, Demetria, Samantha, Nicholas, Giuliana, Karli, John “JD”, David, Matthew, Sophia, Olivia and Andrea Raggio; Jessica, Tracy, Nicole, Andrew, Cameron and Gabrielle Nowak; Bryce and Jacob Hatten, Jimmy, Jarrett, Laney and John Michael Hutson; Courtney Farmer and Zoe Brechting; one great-great grandson yet to be born; special niece, Karol Lothschultz; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Dorothy was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish where she was active in the Senior Ministry, Collection Counters, Young Hearts Club, and Friendship Club. She loved entertaining company, traveling, and visiting the casinos. She bowled until she was 92 years old. Special thanks to the staff of Marywood Health Center and Hospice of Michigan for the love and care shown to Dorothy and her family. Friends may meet with Dorothy’s family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM. Visitation with her family will continue Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 9-10 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish until the Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Legacy of Faith Campaign at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. To share a favorite memory or photo of Dorothy, to leave a memory of her and to sign her online guest book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com

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