Dorothy Anne Sobota

In loving memory, of a dear wife, my one true love Dorothy Anne Sobota Born Monday, January 7, 1963 at 2:30 AM at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, Michigan to Virginia and Wilfred Dubay of Berkley, Michigan, Dorothy was a beautiful, healthy baby, weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and was 21 inches in height. She was baptized on January 27, 1963 at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church in Berkley, Michigan, made her first communion on May 2, 1971 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Harper Woods, Michigan, and was confirmed on March 24, 1977, also at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Harper Woods, Michigan. Dorothy already had five brothers and sisters: Thomas (1950), Margaret (1952), Marie (1954), Michelle (1957), and James (1959). Brother John (1964) would follow later, one year to the day. Both parents, as well as Michelle and John, had passed before Dorothy. While living in Harper Woods, Michigan, Dorothy started her education in 1968, attending Kindergarten at Tyrone Elementary School. She then attended Grades 1 through 8 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Grade School from 1969 to 1977, and as an athlete there, won many track awards. She then advanced to Bishop Gallagher High School, graduating in May 1981, after 4 years on the “B” Honor Roll, with a four year cumulative GPA of 3.09. Her sweet, friendly, and outgoing personality made her many dear friends in school. She was raised with Christian values and her education reinforced that, leaving her with a spiritual foundation that lasted a lifetime. Dorothy also attended a 14 week Dale Carnegie course in 1989, as well as Macomb Community College in 1990, studying Psychology. Dorothy was an ambitious, hardworking young lady. She started working part time at the Harper Woods Public Library in 1978 at the age of 15, advancing to the position of library page in 1980. In the spring and early summer of 1981, in addition to the page job, she worked two other part time jobs, one of which led to a full time assistant manager position in retail clothing in July 1981. She continued in retail through 1992, ascending to store manager at several firms, multiple malls. District managers from three different firms described her as a dependable, conscientious, and courteous store manager. She was a Mary Kay sales associate after leaving retail, worked with her cousin, Lisa, providing independent cleaning services, and was a caregiver to a neighbor. Dorothy was also a devoted caregiver to her father-in-law for about one year in 2005, assisting with doctor appointments and other daily tasks. From 2006 forward, she assisted her mother with day to day needs, moving, medical care, and financial affairs. Caring for her mother during the most stressful years (2009-2012) took a toll on her emotional and physical health, and in 2012 she neglected her own serious health issues, resulting in much pain and suffering for the rest of her life. Growing up, Dorothy enjoyed her family’s vacation trips to northern Michigan and immediately made friends wherever she went. She loved get-togethers with family and friends, playing games and cards. Long walks with our dogs and miniature golf were favorite activities. She enjoyed reading fiction, like Harry Potter, or working on puzzles, both into the wee hours of the night. Instead of watching TV, she often relaxed in the evening by listening to songs from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s on the cable music channels for hours at a time, often singing along. She said her love of the 60’s songs came from exposure to music that her older siblings listened to when she was young. She dearly loved our two dogs, Bear and Shiloh, and her cat, Elsa, caring for them with the love of a mother. She enjoyed our summer vacations and weekend trips in Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks, Au Gres, and Frankenmuth, as well as a trip to Canada to see Niagara Falls and several other states including Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. As a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Warren, Michigan since 1991, Dorothy was a Eucharistic minister at Sunday masses and worked tirelessly at their annual festival as co-chair of the Recycled Treasures area. She always enjoyed breakfast after mass at our favorite restaurant, The Pantry. Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 4, 2012 and underwent mastectomy surgery on January 8, 2013, one day after her 50th birthday. Pathology confirmed cancer in 18 of 22 lymph nodes and follow-up scans confirmed cancer in many bones. Her cancer was Stage 4 (Metastatic) from the beginning and within 21 months it would travel to her brain. She battled her cancer for over ten years and was as brave as any warrior that ever fought in combat. Her courage and inner strength were an inspiration to all who knew her. Despite her cancer, she never lost touch with her humorous side and would make her cancer support group laugh at her jokes and funny noises during meetings. Somehow she always retained her outgoing, friendly, and thoughtful nature. While receiving her own infusion treatments, she would often engage in conversation with other cancer patients, sometimes new to the routine, offering her advice from her years of experience. She would try to offer any help possible, sometimes in the form of hope, since she had survived for so many years, against all odds. The tick of each second turns into the minutes, hours, and days that make up a life. The years fly by so quickly you just don’t realize how precious time is until there are only a few moments left to embrace God’s gift of love together. Dorothy passed away quietly at home, in her own bed, the evening of Monday, March 20, 2023. I cried knowing I would never see her beautiful blue eyes again ……. the ones I adored from day one. I would never again hear the words “I Love You” from her sweet lips. I gave her a last kiss and sat quietly by her bedside, holding her hand. I had lost someone so precious to me that it was hard to imagine going forward without her. It was by far the worst moment of my life. I could only take comfort in knowing that Dorothy’s pain and suffering had ended and that she was now in God’s care. Anyone who knew Dorothy will never forget her sweet, kind, and loving ways. I pray to God that I will be worthy to be with her again someday.......my best friend, my one true love, and as she had written in a love note to me 17 days before we were to be wed, my “Wife for Life”. ********************************************************************************************************************* Below are poems written in her memory, by her devoted husband, Thomas: MISSING YOU Oh dearest Dorothy, I miss you so very much I miss your soft words " I Love You" and your gentle, loving touch I miss you in the morning when I rise I miss your beautiful smile and your gorgeous blue eyes I miss you all day long, you're always in my head I miss you in the evening, when it's time to go to bed I miss you when I think of you so far above I miss you most since you'll always be my one true love WIFE FOR LIFE It's a terrible thing to lose a wife Only one other event will forever change your life It's in the beginning, when you first meet that treasure Her eyes of blue, and heart of gold, bring happiness beyond measure At first it's the joy of just being with her And to listen to her soft voice as she tells you her story The more you see and hear, the more you want to know And soon it's true love and down life's road you go Through good times and bad, your love for each other grows Until your hearts join as one, as does each of your souls So many good years together as one It's hard to accept the emptiness when the last day is done Hope comes so slow as you grieve and long for her love But you know God is with you, as is her love from above Someday when we meet again in a warm, heavenly embrace The loss of my "WIFE FOR LIFE" I will no longer face. All of my Love Forever, Your Loving Husband for 32 years and Soulmate Forever, Thomas Sobota

Dorothy Anne Sobota

January 7, 1963 - March 20, 2023