Dorothy Adeline Sowinski Cirilli

Dorothy Adeline Cirilli, 77, died Thursday, January 26, 2012, in Rhinelander. She was born to Henry and Evelyn (LaPorte) Sowinski on June 23, 1934 in Sugar Camp. She attended Sugar Camp Grade School and graduated from Three Lakes High School in 1952, where she was a trumpet player in the marching band. Dorothy attended Milwaukee Beauty School and worked as a beautician at beauty shops in Three Lakes and Rhinelander. Dorothy met Alfred “Freddie” Cirilli at the neighborhood Cirilli’s Grocery Store on Eagle Street and they married on September 3, 1955 at St. Kunegunda’s Church in Sugar Camp.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rhinelander and served for many years on the church’s Social Committee and served as its chairman. She also chaired several successful church Christmas bazaars. Dorothy at one time was an active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Spooner, Wisconsin while serving as housekeeper for long-time family friend Fr. Richard Burzynski. She also worked as a music therapy assistant at the Jolly fisherman and after returning to Rhinelander, as an activities assistant at the Friendly Village in Rhinelander. Dorothy took pride in referring to her nursing home clientele as “my people”, and treated them and their families as members of her own, with care, compassion, respect, love and good humor.

Dorothy is survived by five children: Kathy Cirilli of Colorado Springs, CO; Mike Cirilli (Denise Bassett) of Minocqua; David Cirilli (Tony Ruocco) of Chicago; Carole Cirilli of Rhinelander and Jim Cirilli of Minocqua; three brothers, Alvin (Shirley) Sowinski, David (Betty) Sowinski and Henry Jr.”Butch” (Diane) Sowinski, all of Sugar Camp; one sister, Mary Ann (Don) Roberts of Rhinelander; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie; her parents; a brother, two aunts, two uncles and a nephew.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Nativity of Our Lord (St. Joseph’s site) with Father Dean Buttrick officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM, with Rosary Service at 6:30 PM at Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home and also at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Monday, January 30, 2012

Rhinelander’s Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home, 715-365-4343 is assisting the family with arrangements. All are invited to sign Dorothy’s guestbook at hildebrandfh.com