Obituary of Dorothy Rachocki

Dorothy Theresa (Dot Simanowski) Rachocki of Erie passed away into the arms of her Lord surrounded by her loving family on Friday, January 31, 2014 at Pleasant Ridge Manor West due to complications from Alzheimers, which was diagnosed in 2004. She was born in Erie on April 11, 1934 to the late Anna (Karmazin) and Stephen Simanowski. Dorothy was a life-long Erie resident and attended St. Patrick's Catholic School and graduated from East High School in 1952. As a teenager, she shared responsibility with her father and a paternal aunt caring for her siblings while her mother was hospitalized for several years with tuberculosis. She married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Rachocki, on July 23, 1955. She was employed at General Telephone Company, Erie Resistor Corporation and in 1970, she and Eugene opened on Parade Street the Blue Ribbon Market, which was known for its Polska Kielbasa made from an old family recipe. For seventeen years, Dorothy and Eugene made their home at East 9th Street in Erie before moving to Shadyside Drive in Fairview Township. Dorothy had life made rich by her faith, her family, and her friends. Married at St. Anne's Catholic Church, she became a communicant of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 1962 and was involved in parish life, fundraising efforts for the Mom's Club and worked in the school cafeteria. She and Eugene assisted with all their high school class reunions. Dorothy enjoyed dancing polkas, traveling, cooking, crocheting, and entertaining in her home. She was devoted to her family and delighted in spending time with her children and grandchildren. Besides her father and mother, Dorothy was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Lasher, a sister, Mary Ann Nobbs, a brother, Stephen Simanowski, and a brother-in-law, Elmer Rachocki. Dorothy will continue to live in the hearts and minds of her loving husband, Eugene; her children: Cynthia Lasher, Deborah Hunt (Wallace), Lynn Ross (Jeffrey Reigel), and Gregory Rachocki (Jennifer); her seven grandchildren: Anne Lasher (Meddi), James Lasher, Stephen Donahue, Justin Ross, Courtney and Kristen Hunt, and Logan Rachocki; her great-granddaughter, Adrianna Donahue; sister, Katherine "Kay" Porreco; sister-in-law and high school friend, Joan Rachocki; brother-in-law, Leslie Rachocki (Elaine); sister-in-law, Mary Simanowski, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank the staff of Unit C at Pleasant Ridge Manor West and those who cared for Dorothy in her home during her long illness, especially: Penny Rensel, Kathy Cassano, Mary McCarty, Richelle Delp, Gina Volk, Bonnie Bilski, Tina Hudler. Special thanks to Sharon Jarmolowicz, Tini Arbon, and Desiree Nasibyan for all their assistance and love during the past two weeks. Friends and family are welcome to visit the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m and 7 to 9 p.m. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Stanislaus Church, 516 East 13th Street on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Fund at Pleasant Ridge Manor West, 8300 West Ridge Rd., Girard, PA 16417, Mercyhurst Prep School Fund, 538 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504, or the Alzheimer's Association Greater PA Chapter, 1128 State St., Erie, PA 16501.