Dolores Lomnicki, nee Chwala, age 94 years young, beloved wife of the late Edward, loving mother of Tekki, Wally (Donna) and Eddie (Mariann), cherished grandmother of Wesley (Michelle), Tyler (Sunni), Jordan (Taryn), Jonathan, Joseph, Cathryn and adopted mom to John Baijan, much loved great grandmother to Drea, Addison, Luca, Nico and Devin left this earth peacefully under a clear, cloudless blue sky when Jesus came to take her home. Dolores was a professional photographer with a sharp eye and warm heart to capture the perfect moments at weddings, family gatherings and on many vacations in the Lomnicki Airstream trailer. She and her husband Ed successfully established and ran Gentlemen’s Quarters in Elmhurst, and is fondly remembered by wedding couples, prom kids and businessmen all over Elmhurst and beyond. Dolores was a devout Catholic and member of Visitation Parish. Funeral Services and Interment are private at this time. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life are being planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities for COVID-19 relief, 2050 Ballenger Ave. Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 or www.catholiccharities.org. Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst. 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
**We will update this post as future service information becomes available**
Debbie Mackall
May God keep you wrapped in loving arms and your spirit shine in your divine light.
Naiya Mehta and family
Tekki, we are so very sorry for your loss, and send our love to you. You have always been such a bright light for Ria and Lilli (especially Ria who always asks to visit her favorite neighbor, Ms Tekki). I remember stopping by your apartment when you were on the phone with your mother. I’m so sorry you’ve lost your parent and friend.
Tekkil@aol.com
Oh Naiya, thank you. I miss you and the girls so much. Please give them hugs for me. You are a wonderful mother
Jeffrey Jon Smith
Tekki, Wally, Eddie and families: I’ve known only a few souls in my life who truly walked the walk on unconditional love, but Do was one of them. She was that way from the first time I met her – which, if you remember, was for dinner at Stouffer’s in Oakbrook in God only knows what year. I’m going to guess 1982 or so. That was the famous meal where Ed leaned back in his chair at some point and said, “So, Jeff, who don’t ya have a cah?” In her unassuming way, Do was a feminist icon: photographer, career woman, businesswoman and at the same time a loving wife and mother. She really did do it all and she did it all with grace. In the old days, when I would drop by Gentleman’s Quarters, she was ALWAYS working. On the phone and on the case. And her skills as a photographer were legendary among us theater folk. When Jim died last year I kept saying to friends that I didn’t recognize the world without him. That feeling came flooding back when Tekki called me: how can there be a world without Do? She was always there, always loving, always completely accepting of Jim and me. We made a point when we were leaving a Tekki event to never leave until we’d said good-bye to Do. She was not someone you just walked away from. So, true story… I have proof positive that Do and I would never have been successful airplane pilots. When we hugged (we always hugged) we had perfect coordination, but when we both went in for the kiss it was inevitable that we mutually misjudged our positions and our glasses collided causing us to blow the landing. It was a running gag and we always cracked up. God, how I’ll miss her. Right after I got off the phone with Tekki I “called” Jimmy and asked him to find Do and help her through orientation in heaven. I have a feeling she’ll be AOK (after all Ed was waiting at the gate, you can bet on it) but as I always say, you can’t have too many friends in heaven. And now we all have one more. I love you guys, my heart is with you, and at this exact moment I’m feeling joy for having been blessed to know and love Do for all these years. Yours always, Jeffrey
Shari Divyak
Your mom was such a sweet caring woman. I really enjoyed getting to know her through Johnny Baijan. My heart sank when I read Tekki’s posting on Facebook. So sorry for your families loss. ❤️ hugs and prayers to all
Shari Divyak
Simone
Peace to your hearts. We lost a wonderful and brilliant woman though received an awesome guardian angel.
Kim
Tekki, I am so sorry that your mom had to leave! I swear, it is *always* too soon. She was definitely a special woman who passed that legacy on to you! Sending you so much love.
Kim
Heather Kenny
Tekki, you are a beautiful, radiant daughter of the King. The Lord will watch over you always, you will never be alone, even for a moment.
Trudy Francis
I am reminded this morning of Maya Angelou’s quote “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within”. Dodo, as you are laid to rest today you will always be remembered as shining your light so bright and I know heaven is shining because of you. Thank you for always being a blessing!
To all of the Lomnicki Family and friends our heartfelt condolences. It’s been an absolute honour having known Dolores L. Lomnicki❤
Love Colin, Trudy, Jessi and Reece
Cape Town, South Africa
Julia McBride
Deepest sympathy and love to you Tekki and all your family. Julia Fabris McBride
Margarita Linero
Dear Tekki, my deepest condolences. My heart is with you and your loved ones. Big hug
Carla Weber
Dear Family,
Our most heartfelt sympathy to all of you. A great loss in such hard circumstances.
Wow 94 years. What a full life she was able to enjoy, with all of your love surrounding her. We know it’s not all in the length of our life but in the depth. She had depth of faith, family, generosity and surely more than we know. Forty-four years ago Aunt Dolores captured our wedding with her creative talents and we enjoy the photos to this day.
We remember her as a classy women with a calm and caring spirit. Aunt Dolores’ faith brought her long life and now brings her peace with her Heavenly Father. We send our love and are praying for comfort for all.
Pete and Carla Weber
Bill Hinchley
Wally so sorry to hear about your mom you and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed Feldpausch
Wally and Donna and family,
Very sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eddie Feldpausch
Carol Hunter Bonham
Your mother was a lovely woman and it is a great comfort to know that she is now in the loving arms of Jesus. My sympathies to you as you mourn her passing because she leaves a void in this life. What great joy awaits for you when you are reunited someday in heaven! Blessings, Carol Hunter Bonham
Gqtyxed@gmail.com
Dodo’s Eulogy
As you all know, Do Do had great faith. She read a devotional each day from this little red book—Echoes of Eternity, Listening to the Father. It always starts with a verse and the one for her first day in heaven was this from John 14:2—Jesus said..
“In my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Talking from God’s perspective, the author goes on to say:
“I have heard your cry and I know the longing of your heart. It was I who put the longing of home within you.”
After changing homes several times in the past few years, Do Do was lifted up by our Savior to her true home on Tuesday, under a clear, blue cloudless sky. She held out long enough to get an anointing from Father Shaun, which we all know was very special to her faith.
She was always looking for signs from God to boost her faith and we got a sign that day to build ours. When our unofficial little brother Johnny heard the news that Do Do might pass that day he drove his truck to her senior home and began to pray. He snapped a photo of the exterior of the facility and sent a text to Tekki saying that he wanted to be close to her to pray. When Tekki checked the time stamp of the text it was 3:19 the exact time she went home.
Though we miss her terribly, we are happy that she doesn’t have to live through this time of crisis any longer. We can still hear her comforting words of faith to each of us— “this too shall pass.”
She was a professional photographer in the forties when women just didn’t do that. She was not only a working mom when most of our friends’ moms stayed at home, but for many years she tirelessly ran GQ with Dad and we know what a handful he was.
She was our hero and Jordan captured it perfectly in his school essay titled “My Personal Hero”:
I think of her not as a hero in the sense of being “superhuman” but for her traits as a human being. Some of the characteristics I admire are that she is hard working, honest, loving and caring. I give a lot of credit to her for always fighting and standing up for what she believes. She has been around all of my life, and has truly inspired me as a person.
He closes with these words: I can only wish however that other people would get to have a grandma like mine, and to know she will always be there for me when I need something.And now for each of us it’s only a prayer away.
Dave Levine
You are a light Tekki, and part of your light came from the love and caring and creativity of Dolores. May she rest in peace and may you and your family rest in the beautiful memories and influence of Dolores’ life.
Maureen T Power
DO: I am so sad to hear of your passing yet so happy you are now reunited with your sweetheart Mr. L! I will always treasure you both and have so many wonderful memories of you and Mr. L. I shall always cherish our escapades, conversations, laughter and life journey. Eternal happiness is yours and until we meet again, watch over all those who love you. To all my Lomnicki family members – I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and remain comforted that you will always find peace when either DO and Mr L send you messages when you least expect those signs. Much love, Moe
MARGARET STRAUB MANONI
Tekki,
I learned of the loss of your mother from my cousin, Grace Dumelle. I’m so very sorry. But, in our faith, we know that Heaven has gained an Angel. And, your mom is at peace…forever. And, that you will one day be reunited.
Fondly,
Margaret Straub Manoni