Dolores Piekos

Dolores F. Piekos (née Chwalek), 91, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on February 18, 2024. Dolores was born in Villa Park, Illinois, on December 10, 1932, to the late Valentine and Helen (Roznowski) Chwalek. A graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, Illinois, Dolores worked at the family-owned dry-cleaning business before moving on to bookkeeper and teller at Elmhurst National Bank. In 1956, she married the love of her life, Joseph S. Piekos, and embraced her role as wife and mother, who loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. She made her home a welcome place for family, friends and neighbors, and often hosted large gatherings at the last minute all while making it look so easy. Dolores did not own a cell phone or computer and communicated with family and friends only by a personal phone call or a lovely handwritten letter. Her calendar was filled with birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions of those important to her and she always made a point of mailing a card on time with a personal note to mark those special occasions. Dolores had great penmanship and even wrote and received correspondence from the White House and her local Senator regarding issues that were important to her. She always cared for the needs of others over her own and was a devoted volunteer at her Catholic parish in both Illinois and Florida. 

Dolores is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Joseph, and her four children Paul (Patricia) Piekos, Mark (Kimberly) Piekos, Caroline Piekos and Nancy (Lance) O’Donnell. Grandmother to nine wonderful grandchildren: Samantha, Jacqueline, Melissa, Christian (Mary), Matthew, Lily (Mitchell), Cassandra, William and Blake and great-grandmother to Summer. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Valerie Schmitz (John) and Eleanore Kondor (Frank). A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at a future date to be determined by the family at both Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Sarasota, FL and St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale, IL. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.