Dorothy Marie Koski Sieminski

Dorothy M. Sieminski (nee: Koski), age 86, born in Hancock, MI on March 26, 1925, passed away April 30, 2011. Loving mother of Roxanne Flanagan, Diane (Russ) Solomon and Carolyn (Ralph) Pitlock. Dear grandmother of Dawn Flanagan and great-grandmother of Robert Gibbons. Sister of Marcella Fettig, Jo-Ann Drake and Phil Koski.

Visitation and service was at Kaul Funeral Home, Roseville. Dorothy is buried at Assumption Grotto on Gratiot near 7 Mile in Detroit.

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Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. Dorothy Marie Sieminski was no exception. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Dorothy will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Dorothy’s life journey began on March 26, 1925. She first greeted the world in Hancock, Michigan (Keweenaw Peninsula). Her parents' names were Frank and Esther Koski. Growing up for Dorothy was an involving experience. It allowed her to learn and grow and create all kinds of memories. Growing up she loved dolls, but must not have gotten her fill, because she was a doll collector the 2nd half of her life. Shirley Temple was her favorite.

A lot of what shaped Dorothy’s life was how she was raised. She was raised one of 9 children that reached adulthood. 2 sisters: Marcella and Jo-Ann - and 6 brothers: Frank, Doug, Kenny, Irving, Jimmy & Phil. 3 other siblings: Delores, Howard and Paul, died young. Being the oldest girl of 3 sisters and 5 brothers Dorothy had a lot of chores, helping with the babies, cooking and cleaning. She learned to sew and do repairs and helped her mother who took in laundry. Dorothy was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced the typical rivalries of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

Many things change when a person becomes old enough to go to high school; Dorothy was no different. She was a typical teenager who had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. She graduated from Hancock High School in the spring of 1942. By then both her older brothers were in the service. Dorothy tried to be involved in a number of different activities, both in and out of school, during these years.

The teen years weren’t only about school, though. Dorothy had a number of good friends during this time, especially her best friend in high school, June Fratick, who later married her brother Frank.

Dorothy married Thaddeus (Ted) Ernest Sieminski and lived in Detroit until 1958 when they moved to Madison Heights. They had 3 daughters: Roxanne (1953), Diane (1959) & Carolyn (1961), and later, 2 grand children: Dawn (1973) & Patrick (1976) and a great-grandson Robert (1994). After 11 years of marriage Dorothy and Ted separated and divorced, and Dorothy went back to work at Michigan Bell.

While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Dorothy worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Dorothy was blessed with three girls, Roxanne, Diane and Carolyn. She worked hard toward raising her children in a positive and nurturing environment. Growing up all 3 girls had dance lessons – ballet, tap, and modern jazz. Every summer growing up (or at least it seemed that way) their “vacation” meant “Going Up North” to the Houghton/Hancock area. And every trip included the MUST STOP FIRST at June and Frank’s house on US41. We had two bridges to cross, the Mighty Mac and the Lift Bridge.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Dorothy was ready at the drop of a hat to take a trip with anyone willing, traveling to New York, California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Canada, and of course Hancock MI.

Dorothy’s children also enjoyed the company of the family pets, Dorothy was a dog lover & owned many spoiled little dogs – and they were always allowed on the furniture! She also baby-sat for the daughter’s dogs when they had to go out of town.

How a person performs in the workplace can be a reflection on how they live their life. Fortunately, Dorothy enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Dorothy worked diligently and did her best to succeed in each of her jobs. After graduating from Hancock High in 1943, Dorothy came to Detroit and started work as a telephone operator. Dorothy retired from Michigan Bell / Ameritech / SBC / AT&T. Though Dorothy didn’t work for accolades, she was recognized for a job well done. Dorothy always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done. And on the job she met her good friends Martha, Carrie, Dolores, Dorothy, Hilda, Esther and Gloria.

A person's hobbies often mirror who they have become. Dorothy enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in a number of different activities. Her hobbies and interests started out with sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafts. She made most of the clothing for her daughters as they were growing up.

In later years, especially after she retired, she enjoyed antique hunting (buying & selling them) her doll collection, and sewing and crafts. She would sew doll clothes and children’s clothes, and knit and crochet items to sell at craft shows (indoor and outdoor) and taking whatever she could to the flea market to sell. She would scout garage sales, church sales and flea markets for bargains. Some to keep, but whatever she could get cheap that she knew she could resell at the flea markets. The girls were mortified to have to ride in the car with the playpen strapped to the top. Dorothy would strap that to the roof racks on the car, then fill it with items to sell at the flea market every weekend that she could. She was usually willing to share her interests with others.

Like all people, Dorothy had her favorite things in life. Dorothy was proud of her Finnish heritage and loved telling stories of her brother’s antics. She was also proud of her brothers and nephews that served in the armed forces.

Dorothy enjoyed spectator sports, especially when she could no longer be that active. She enjoyed watching ice skating and ski jumping (especially the Olympics), Dancing With The Stars and American Idol (she LOVED Simon). Dorothy had bought and sold 4 homes during her life after marriage – never afraid to take a calculated risk. She was young at heart and enjoyed life. Dorothy was always ready to learn something new that interested her. At age 75 she got a computer and learned to sell on eBay and was successful for 11 years selling online. That sparked a renewed interest in crafting and sewing to sell in this new medium. Dorothy always felt that living your life and doing things that make you happy will show up in everything else you do.

Dorothy Sieminski left us on April 30, 2011. She passed away at her home in Roseville, Michigan. She was 86 years old. Dorothy’s health went fast the last few years, especially the last 18 months. Roxanne moved in with her November 2010 when she could no longer live alone. She had stage 4 cancer tumors on her spine but wasn’t strong enough for kemo. She also had an enlarged heart that caused constant fluid build up in her lung, and that was drained at home every 3-5 days (depending). She was frustrated because she was so limited at the end, especially being on constant oxygen. As she got weaker and weaker she was limited to one room of the house. But at least she got to stay in her own home where she died peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by her daughters Roxanne Flanagan, Diane (Russ) Solomon, and Carolyn (Ralph) Pitlock. Her grandaughter, Dawn Flanagan and great-grandson Robert Gibbons. Sisters, Marcella Fettig, Jo-Ann Drake and brother, Phil Koski. Services were handled by Kaul Funeral Home, Roseville. Dorothy's burial site is at Assumption Grotto on Gratiot in Detroit.

So this is Dorothy’s life, the sum of the woman that she became. Simply stated, Dorothy was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Dorothy leaves behind her a legacy of lifelong friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life Dorothy Marie Sieminski touched will always remember her with a smile.