Delores Joanne Spezia

A 1948 graduate of Detroit’s All Saints High School, Delores was a cheerleader and baton twirler, who once showcased her twirling talents in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Upon graduation from business secretarial school, she became the executive secretary to the Master Mechanic at Turnsted General Motors. During her tenure, she was selected as the model for a citywide GM advertising campaign, her smiling face adorning bus posters throughout Detroit. She readily offered that warm, beautiful smile to friends and strangers alike, making everyone feel seen and welcomed. Her outgoing personality complemented her husband, Roy’s, more reserved demeanor, which undoubtedly contributed to their long and happy marriage of 65 years.

Even while raising five children and helping with her husband’s dental practice, Delores made time to give back to her community. She volunteered at the American Cancer Society, at local election polling places, and served on the Board of Directors for the Detroit District Auxiliary Dental Society. She was a longtime member and steward of the Quiddlers, a local arts group that included many of her dearest friends.

But the family home was the center of her universe, where she took pride in creating a lovely and gracious environment. Even with the frequent chaos of five children, Delores never sweated the small stuff, meeting life’s challenges with patience and understanding. Her door was always open to family and friends and she never hesitated to set an extra place at the table for an unexpected guest. And you were lucky to have a seat at her table since she was an excellent cook. Her golumpki (cabbage rolls) and handmade ravioli were legendary. She would often lead family outings to U-Pick Orchards to harvest produce for her fresh-baked fruit pies, canned fruit jams, and canned tomatoes for her famous spaghetti sauce. In recent years, she would make extra portions to share with widowed friends or those who had given up cooking at home.

Delores was not only proud of her five children but also relished her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother. Having been blessed with a long life, she enjoyed attending their school plays, sporting events, graduations, and professional degree ceremonies. But most important were family gatherings such as grandchild baptisms and holiday dinners. She was extremely proud of her strong, tight-knit immediate and extended family.

Delores was the loving mother of Nancy J. Spezia, Esq., Susan M. Klapchar, RDH, (Dr. Richard), Roy A. Spezia, Esq., (Karen), Kenneth J. and Thomas J.; dearest grandmother of Dr. Michael T. Klapchar (Dr. Amanda) and Dr. Kimberly S. Klapchar; dearest great-grandmother of Sarah K. Klapchar and Rachel G. Klapchar ; special aunt of Dr. James Vogler (Jill), Dr. Harold Vogler (Tina), Louis DeGennaro, Jr., Esq. (Carol), Joseph DeGennaro, CPA (Mary Ann); Dr. Ronald Spezia (Ruth), and Kathleen Stevenson, Esq. (the late George Stevenson), Terry Vogler (Margurite), Sharon Vogler, Gretchen Dimmer (William), and Max Vogler (Diane). Delores was predeceased by her husband Roy, her parents; her siblings, William Vogler and Leo Vogler.

Visitation will be from 3-8:00pm on Friday, August 2, at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, with a 7:00pm rosary. A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be at 10:00am, Saturday, August 3, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in the mausoleum of the Most Holy Trinity following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor may be made to Better Way Detroit, P.O. Box 2923, Detroit, MI 48202, or through their website at betterwaydetroit.org.