Dolores Mae Fritz

Dolores M. (Schwabe) Fritz went to her Lord peacefully in the early morning hours of April 3rd, 2018. She leaves behind her two devoted daughters and son-in-law, (Jo Dee Fritz, Jane (Fritz) Andersen and Allan Andersen), a niece, (Jena Dee Borah) and nephew, (Robert Wade Schwabe). Dolores was a beautiful person, loyal friend and amazing Mom! She was the picture of unconditional love! She was always there, ready to lift a helping hand, provide a shoulder to cry on, or be a sounding board…offering her own Mom Wisdom and Advice to anyone who asked. She never had a bad day, never complained. Every day was a great day….and she was always up for anything! (She was a prankster in her younger days). Her attitude was contagious and she always wore a big beaming smile and a twinkle in her eye everywhere she went. Dee, as everyone knew her, was preceded in death by her loving husband, Walton “Walt” Fritz, her mother and father (Marie and Walter Schwabe) and her brother (Robert Schwabe). Dee and Walt made Arizona (Sun Lakes) their home in 1986, after raising their family in Staunton, Ill, where Walt owned Fritz Rexall Drug Store and was a Pharmacist by trade. Dee was born in Gillespie, Ill and shortly thereafter her family moved to Chicago and later they made their home in Mt. Olive, Ill. She attended Blackburn College for 2 years and went on to Graduate from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education in 1951. She spent a summer in San Antonio, Texas, working at Joske’s Dept. Store on the famous Riverwalk before taking a High School teaching position in Mt. Olive. While in Texas she grew to love travel and adventure…always planning special trips for the family and wanting to see and do as much as possible. She met her “Walt” at the Mill Café in Staunton one Enchanted Evening and from then the two never parted. Dee and Walt married on July 24, 1953 with a reception at the Staunton Country Club and a beautiful honeymoon to Colorado. While at U of I she joined the Phi Mu Sorority and became active in volunteer work which she continued to do throughout her life. After moving to their beloved Arizona, the couple made their home in Sun Lakes and Dee took up painting Arizona landscapes. She also liked a spirited game of Bocce Ball, and still found some time to play Golf and socialize with friends. She loved going out to lunch, and personally knew all the servers in every restaurant she frequented. Later in life, Dee found out she also liked beer, (Walt’s favorite beverage), and made it a point to have an occasional Shock Top or Blue Moon with her friends and family in a wine goblet with an orange slice, of course! She loved Sedona, Arizona and would vacation there often with her husband, friends and family. Dee had a short illness and the family is so grateful to the Hospice of the Valley for recommending the Lund Family Hospice Home in Gilbert for her last few days. She will be sorely missed by her Daughters and Son-in-Law. They were so honored to have her as their Mom. Her life was Well Lived! In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Dolores “Dee” Fritz to the Lund Family Hospice Home, 1982 E. Woodside Court, Gilbert, AZ 85297.