Dolores Pitkwitz

Dolores Pitkwitz, 86, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025. Dolores will be remembered by all who knew her as a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, and a servant of God. She will be forever known as a beacon of positivity and a guiding light to all who met her.

Born on July 2, 1938, in West New York, New Jersey, to Harold and Rose Smith, Dolores lived a life filled with love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to family, friends, and God. One of six children, she was the third born child and oldest daughter of Harold and Rose. She loved to travel the world and was known for her warm smile, generosity, willingness to help others, and ability to laugh and to see the bright side of life, no matter what situation it handed to her.

After graduating high school, Dolores entered the convent and dedicated herself to a life of God serving as Sister M. Rose Michael Smith with the Order of Franciscan Sisters in Peekskill, NY.  Dolores earned her Bachelor of Arts at LadyCliff College on May 27, 1968,  and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Social Studies from Hunter College, and teaching certificate in June 1973.

Dolores was Group Mother at St. Joseph’s Home, in Peekskill, NY, and taught at Holy Name of Mary Croton on the Hudson, St. Mary Magdalen Di Pazzi in Philadelphia, Queen of Martyrs and St. Joseph’s in New York City, and St. John’s in Fairview, NJ.

After leaving the convent, and not long after beginning her career in education, Dolores met her future husband Ronald Pitkwitz. They were married on June 24, 1977, at St. Joseph’s Church in Palisades, West New York. Dolores and Ronald lived a life of love and devotion, until his untimely death in 1982. 

In addition to her teaching career, Dolores was employed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and later retired from Xerox Corporation in New York City.

Dolores was predeceased by her husband; her parents; her brothers Harold, Donald, and Lawrence and his wife Joan; and is survived by her sister Judith and brother David and his wife Maureen, as well as Donald’s wife Inez. While Dolores did not have children of her own, she will always be remembered as a loving Aunt, Great Aunt, and Great Great Aunt by her family.

A memorial service and mass will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 130 St. Maximilian Lane, Toms River, NJ on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10 am, to honor Dolores’ life. 

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in the love Dolores shared and the beautiful memories we hold dear. Dolores will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com. 

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