Dorothy Ann Ignasiak

Dorothy Ann Ignasiak, 96, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan passed away in her home on May 26, 2023. She was a loving wife to Eugene, predeceased, and devoted mother to Susan Ignasiak, Michael (Lisa) Ignasiak, Gregory Ignasiak, predeceased, Robert (Francine) Ignasiak, grandmother to James Ignasiak and sister to Lillian Monteleone.

Dorothy was the first child born to Louis and Theresa Reckio. She attended Alexander Hamilton Grade School, catechism at St. John Berchmans, 9th grade at Denby and graduated from East Commerce Business School in 1944 with excellent shorthand and typing skills.

Upon graduation Dorothy worked for U.S. Immigration in the Border Patrol Building on Mt. Elliott and Jefferson. Then she worked in the Buhl Building in with Imports/Exports. Federal Judge Arthur F. Lederle then hired her to work as his secretary after being told of her high scores by the school. She loved her job, but changed course to become a full time mother. It took two people to replace her.

Her love of family knew no limits. She and her husband Eugene were married for seventy one years and raised four children in a loving and nurturing household. Her special needs child, Gregory necessitated learning a whole new child rearing skill set. She excelled in that also, helping Gregory in developing his music skills with violin lessons and continuing his voice and piano playing skills. As her children, we were very fortunate to have such a loving mother and one that truly made us feel loved. She was always involved and supportive in the activities of her children.

Dorothy lived life with a song in her heart. She had a lifelong passion for music. When she was two years old she could sing any song that she heard. Dorothy was in the Denby Glee Club. After high school, she was in the first chorus for the Michigan Opera Theatre.

Dorothy had wonderful voice teachers, Roma Riddell, Professor John-Paul White and Angela Theis-Kelly. Her last zoom voice lesson with Angela was May 9th and from it she continued to practice her Mozart aria.

Dorothy became an accomplished soprano and enjoyed performing on stage as well as for family and friends. She volunteered for many years to sing at the VA hospital through Tuesday Musicale of Detroit and local assisted care facilities as she understood the joy that music brings to others.

Dorothy performed frequently for Tuesday Musicale of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Chamber Music, Four Octaves at Marygrove College, Theatre Arts Club, Italian Cultural Center, Grosse Pointe Symphony Women’s Association, took third place in a Mrs. Michigan Pageant with finals at the Macomb Center for Performing Arts, and sang for 40 years in the choir at Our Lady Star of the Sea parish until 2020. On December 4, 1997 she sang Panis Angelicus for Pope John Paul II in his private chapel in the Vatican on one of her many trips to Italy with Gene.

Dorothy and Eugene enjoyed domestic and international travel. Her favorite country to visit was Italy.

Dorothy’s passion for music didn’t stop with singing. She was very involved in promoting the education and careers of promising student musicians. She is past president of Tuesday Musicale of Detroit (1979-1981) and was very active in this organization since joining in 1965. She was very committed to promoting music, arts, and culture.

She was a team member for the George Shirley Vocal Competition, member of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Grosse Pointe Historical Society, Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library, Detroit Symphony, Colonial Williamsburg, National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Red Cross.

Dorothy brought great energy and endless love to this life and was rewarded with wonderful family and friends to share in it. She brought joy to countless people who heard her sing, or may have received her counsel, hugs, smiles, consoling, or warm motherly advice. She earned her wings here in this life and is undoubtedly in the care of the Lord to whom she was so devoted.

Visitation for Dorothy will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236 and will include a prayer service at 7:00 PM. An instate will occur Thursday June 1, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 467 Fairford, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A funeral mass will follow. Immediately following mass, we will proceed independently to Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48038 for a brief graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen

P.O. Box 772091

Detroit, MI 48277-2091

Tuesday Musicale of Detroit (in memo section: Student League)

P.O. Box 36535

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236