Delores (Janowski) Glasser

Passed away on April 19, 2014 in Kalamazoo, MI after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Delores was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas; and daughter, Nancy (Glaser) Moore. She is survived by three children, Tom (Jean) Glaser of Rochester, MN, Debbie (Tom) Allen of Warsaw, IN, and Shari (Greg Rosine) Glaser of Kalamazoo, MI; along with 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Delores was born on September 15, 1929 in South Bend, IN to Margaret (Van de Viere) and Edward Janowski. Tragically, her parents were killed in a car accident when she was four years old and she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Leo and Christina Janowski. The events of her childhood gave her strength and resilience that were evident as she faced challenges throughout her life. Delores and Tom married young and began raising their four children in South Bend. They later moved to Kalamazoo and in those early years, many weekends and summers were spent camping throughout Michigan and enjoying the outdoors. They later owned a cottage on the Croton Pond where Delores enjoyed fishing and snowmobiling. Delores was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and found great comfort in her faith. She worked for years at Muir's Drug Store as a sales clerk and coworkers and customers alike valued her friendship and loyal service. She loved to help people and gave her time generously to anyone in need. She served as a primary caregiver to many of her elderly relatives, selflessly offering them assistance and companionship in their golden years. Delores had a great love for animals, especially the succession of dogs who were her constant companions through her life. She was skilled with needlework and her cross-stitched works of art are a powerful legacy to her talent and patience. Delores most enjoyed being at home with her dogs and loved taking care of her yard; gardening, and feeding the birds. She always treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and took much pride in her family's accomplishments. She played a mean game of ping pong and was a staunch Notre Dame football fan no matter what the final score. A family celebration of Delores's life and memorial service will be held in South Bend in June. In honor of their outstanding care at the end of her life, her family requests that commemorative donations be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Avink Cremation Society, Schoolcraft.