Dolores was the daugther of Catherine and Robert and was the fourth child out of five. She had 3 brothers and 1 sister Maggie, who is still alive. She met Jack Bricker and married in 1946. Debbie, her daughter was brought into this world in 1955. In 1955-1958, they lived downstairs from her Brother Bob and enjoyed being close to his family which included Marti and Judy, her nieces. In 1958, they moved and met Dolores and Ted Kennedy and became extremely close to them and their family--eventually even celebrating holidays and vacations together. Because of her loving way, she developed many strong relationships with family and friends during her life. When Marti and Judy lost their parents, she was devistated and made a promise to herself to do whatever she could for them and loved seeing them go on to have their own children: Jennifer, Johnny, Christopher and Samuel. Marti and Johnny lived the closest and she felt so lucky to see Johnny almost every day. She would be proud to know that today, Johnny is a Chicago police officer and now wears the Star Number of her son-on-law Lee who recently retired. She loved to spend time with her niece Meg and her children Skip, Neenah and Katie. She was praying that Neenah would be born on her birthday but was very happy that she was a beautiful healthy girl even though she was born the day after.
She enjoyed being with Bob, her brother-in-law and her sister-in-law Mickey. They would get together and always talk about their younger days; Bob, Jack and Dolores all went to school together. She loved Thanksgiving because Mickey and her would alternate the holiday, sharing the "Big Bird". It was a blessing in our family when Robert Anthony was born; Bob & Mickey's son. He was the only person in the family who would carry on the Bricker name! Until...his son Michael was born and then everyone was full of joy that the Bricker's would stay around for much more time.
Joining her TOPS group was something she enjoyed every week. She would always talk about how fortunate she was to have her friends Shirley, Mary, Judy and Georgia. Even when she wasn't feeling well, she tried her hardest to get to her meetings so she could go out afterwards with her friends.
In 1981, Jack became ill and wasn't able to take care of himself any longer. Her Mom was still alive and for years she cared for both of them. She was always there when they needed her and was a great example of a loving and devoted child and wife. Her Mom passed away in 1986; Jack in 1993; so for 12 years, her life was that of a caregiver. And...the best Mom in the world of course!
As a Mother, she truely was the best. She was always there to pick up the pieces and make me feel better when things didn't go the way I felt they should. She was my best friend and always gave me 100% support in anything I attempted in my life. (Even when I sang in a play and couldn't hold a tune!)
She always said "all you need to make you happy is love". All I needed growing up was her love and she gave that to me continuously every day of her life.
She loved Lee, the man who would eventually be her Son-in-Law and always said he was the son she never had. She was the happiest ever when they could begin planning a wedding for September of 2000.
Then in May of 2000, she was given the sad news that she had developed lung cancer. We were planning a wedding at time time and initially didn't know how we could handle both at the same time. She was a role model for strength and got through chemotherapy weekly, radiation daily while we were making wedding plans. She had some bad days but always tried to stay positive and strong.
In 2002, her strength began deteriorating and she lost her battle with cancer. Before she died, there were so many that helped her get through her weak and bad days and she was always grateful for their prayers, comfort, love and support. When she passed away, she was surrounded by those she loved and whom truely loved her.
She would love to know that so many people still remember what a wonderful person she was and have so many stories to tell about their time together. She was very lucky to have so many caring and loving people in her life.
If you have the time, please light a candle on the right in her memory and/or share your favorite memories, entering them from the left of the website.
Thank you for honoring this amazing person!!
