Delicia Antoinette Chmura

Dolly was born on October 21, 1932 in an area of Detroit that used to be known as "Poletown." Early in her life, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Her father bought her many Christmas gifts. On one occasion when she was still quite young, he bought her a desk. In those early years, Dolly spent hours pretending she was a schoolteacher with that desk.

During this time, Dolly also spent many happy hours dancing. At weddings, she would dance to nearly every song that the orchestra played. As she grew a little older, she spent time dancing after school. When she was 10, she joined a dance club called "Lira," an organization for people of all ages who loved to dance.

Although Dolly loved dancing, and the musical arts in general, she never lost her desire to teach. She attended the University of Detroit. After graduating cum laude, she then attended Wayne State University where she earned her Master's Degree. Thus began a 28 year career as a teacher in the Detroit Public School system.

It was around this time that Dolly changed her name from "Cywinski" to "Chmura" which began a marriage that would last for 63 years. The marriage opened a new phase in Dolly's life which began with a honeymoon in New York City for a week, and ended with two weeks in Bermuda.

This began a love affair with traveling that lasted for the rest of Dolly's life. Dolly & Don imbued this love of traveling onto their two sons, John and Mark. From a very young age, they included the boys in their travel plans which always involved substantial time outside of the state of Michigan. They literally saw the entire U.S.A. and taught their children about this great land. These vacations also took the family to the islands of the Caribbean, up north to Canada, and across the pond to Poland. When John and Mark began their college years, Don & Dolly reached beyond to further destinations. They literally spanned the globe, visiting every continent except Antarctica.

The parents continued their globe-trotting with the arrival of their grandchildren, Jonathan, Emily, Andy, Stephen, and Lillian. The entire family ~  grandparents; parents; grandchildren; and daughters-in-law, Ann Marie and Angela made memorable excursions to Walt Disney World and Hawaii.

And so, today, we remember with great fondness these happy memories shared with Dolly. We remember Dolly's love for Don, her family, as well her passion for teaching, dancing, travel, her Polish heritage, her Catholic faith, and all things beautiful. We celebrate a life well-lived.

Mrs. Chmura was the beloved wife of Donald Henry Chmura. Dearest mother of John (Ann Marie) Chmura and Mark (Angela) Chmura. Loving grandmother of Jonathan, Andrew, Emily (Adam) Olfidani, Stephen, and Lillian.

A Memorial Visitation for Mrs. Chmura has been planned for Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 from 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm, with a 7 pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren, Michigan.

Her Memorial Mass will follow on Wednesday, August 19th at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 31555 Hoover Road in Warren. Officiating the funeral liturgy will be Fr. John Kiselica. The Mass will begin at 11:00 am, with family & guests welcomed to visit beforehand from 10:30 am until the time of Mass.

The inurnment of her ashes will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

Memorial donations, in Dolly's name, are welcomed to the Warren Kiwanis Foundation, 6015 E. 10 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48091. (www.kiwanisclubofwarren.org)

Please share memories of Mrs. Chmura at her guest book below.