Delores Garner Kurkowski

Delores Mae Garner Kurkowski went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 16th, 2024. She was born on December 24th, 1932 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the late Lillian Hall Garner and the late Harry Winfield Garner. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Rev. Frederick Ernest Kurkowski, a brother Kenneth E. Garner, Sr., and a sister Sharon Lee Garner Bell. She is survived by her sister Patricia A. Garner Seachrist (Stanley) and a brother Harry James Garner (Linda), a sister in law Catherine M. Paparo Garner and a brother in law Marvin William Bell. Delores is also survived by her three children Heather Elizabeth Kurkowski-Wolcott, Sarah Anne Kurkowski Simpson and Michael Ernest Kurkowski (Laura). She also has four granddaughters Kelsey Arianna Simpson, Kaila Marie Wolcott Pickard (Thomas), Taylor Renae Wolcott Jensen (Zachary), Rebecca Caroline Simpson, and many nieces, nephews and friends who loved her. Delores also leaves behind her beloved and cherished cats Mama Katz, Sonni, Theo, Puff and Lovey who provided faithful companionship and comfort to her.

Delores Kurkowski was the wife of a United Church of Christ minister and lived in numerous homes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and North Carolina. Over the years, she enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, tending to the children in the church Nursery and was a Girl Scout Leader. She also worked several clerical/receptionist jobs, was an expert in shorthand, and volunteered at nursing homes. She was also known for her fabulous baked goods at church events.

Memorial Services will be held at Parkway United Church of Christ in Winston-Salem North Carolina on Saturday January 18th, 2025 at 3:00pm, as well as in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania at a later date with her extended family.

The remains of Delores Mae Garner Kurkowski and Frederick Ernest Kurkowski will be laid to final rest in the Memorial Garden of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Tryon, North Carolina on June 18th, 2025. This date would have been their 65th wedding anniversary and their remains will be joined together in everlasting peace.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Memorial Fund of Parkway United Church of Christ 1465 Irving St Winston-Salem, NC 27103.