Obituary for Delphine "Dolly" Lewis
Delphine Lewis, known affectionately by her grandchildren as Grandma Dolly, 75, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, surrounded by her husband of 58 years, her children, and her grandchildren. She was born to John and Marja “Mary” Sacco, on June 1, 1947, in Hazel Park.
Dolly and Jim Lewis met on the dance floor at the Walled Lake casino and immediately fell in love. They raised their five children in Ann Arbor, and did a remarkable job shaping their beautiful characters. Dolly had her first child at 17 and with just a GED she built an amazing career at Xerox. She started in production and worked her way into management, leading many large teams. She finished her career as a Product Manager for ProQuest where she was extremely proud to help doctoral candidates around the world publish their dissertations and earn their PHDs. Later in life she enjoyed her retirement in Dexter, Michigan. She adored vacationing with her entire family in Petoskey and on beaches in Florida. Sitting quietly beside oceans or lakes was her bliss, especially in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. Dolly lovingly dedicated herself to her grandchildren—she attended every event that she possibly could, no matter the distance. She became an expert in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, wrestling, dance, cheer, poetry, video games, and anything else her grandchildren chose to pursue. Her Christmas stockings were the stuff of legends and if you showed up on Christmas day, no matter who you were, there was a personalized stocking waiting for you.
For the past five years, a new tradition was established with her children once a week, for “Tuesday night dinners,” where everyone took turns making new recipes, drinking her favorite red wines, trying new and interesting mixed drinks, and talking well into the night about politics, sports, and Family.
Dolly lived her life with incredible conviction - she had strong beliefs and her moral compass never, ever swayed. She was fiercely loyal to everyone in her circle and she would do anything for them. She was calm and steadfast in a crisis—traits which spelled salvation for her family on a number of occasions. Besides this, she could always finish the NYT crossword puzzles, patch drywall or fix a broken sink without a thought, and she owned an impressive collection of power tools. Indeed there were few things Dolly did not accomplish, and far fewer that she could not, given the need.
Dolly was extremely proud of her numerous family, and just a few nights before her passing, on Christmas, in a very busy house, she was able to celebrate the holiday with the entire family, lacking not a single one. It was the first time for some years that the whole family was able to gather in this way. It is hoped the memory of that night eased her spirit in passing; a consummate vision of her legacy, held up beside the memories of so many years’ warm family gatherings, and slumber parties featuring over a dozen grandchildren dozing on piles of blankets on her living room floor. It must give unthinkable joy, to have watched so many remarkable young people mature into adulthood, and to recognize yourself the very author of their existence.
Dolly is preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings Louie Sacco, Sonny Sacco, and Joni Flores.
Left to cherish her memory are a great multitude: her husband, Jim; her children, Anne (Rick) Rowell, Cheryl (Dave) Beaver, Jody (Troy) LaFollette, Jamie (Michelle) Lewis, Chrissy (Steve) Palko; 17 grandchildren, Jimmy Hunter, Robby (Kitt) Hunter, Kylie Garner, Brad Lewis, Eric Burton, Sophie Hunter, Taylor Garner, Ryan Lewis, Adam Burton, Kyle Burton, Megan LaFollette, Noah Lewis, Tyler LaFollette, Anna Palko, Ava Lewis, Julia Burton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family members including Bob Hunter and Craig Burton.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 12pm with visitation beginning at 11am at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dolly’s name to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY, 103573 or Donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org).
Please leave a memory or condolence for the family.
Dolly and Jim Lewis met on the dance floor at the Walled Lake casino and immediately fell in love. They raised their five children in Ann Arbor, and did a remarkable job shaping their beautiful characters. Dolly had her first child at 17 and with just a GED she built an amazing career at Xerox. She started in production and worked her way into management, leading many large teams. She finished her career as a Product Manager for ProQuest where she was extremely proud to help doctoral candidates around the world publish their dissertations and earn their PHDs. Later in life she enjoyed her retirement in Dexter, Michigan. She adored vacationing with her entire family in Petoskey and on beaches in Florida. Sitting quietly beside oceans or lakes was her bliss, especially in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. Dolly lovingly dedicated herself to her grandchildren—she attended every event that she possibly could, no matter the distance. She became an expert in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, wrestling, dance, cheer, poetry, video games, and anything else her grandchildren chose to pursue. Her Christmas stockings were the stuff of legends and if you showed up on Christmas day, no matter who you were, there was a personalized stocking waiting for you.
For the past five years, a new tradition was established with her children once a week, for “Tuesday night dinners,” where everyone took turns making new recipes, drinking her favorite red wines, trying new and interesting mixed drinks, and talking well into the night about politics, sports, and Family.
Dolly lived her life with incredible conviction - she had strong beliefs and her moral compass never, ever swayed. She was fiercely loyal to everyone in her circle and she would do anything for them. She was calm and steadfast in a crisis—traits which spelled salvation for her family on a number of occasions. Besides this, she could always finish the NYT crossword puzzles, patch drywall or fix a broken sink without a thought, and she owned an impressive collection of power tools. Indeed there were few things Dolly did not accomplish, and far fewer that she could not, given the need.
Dolly was extremely proud of her numerous family, and just a few nights before her passing, on Christmas, in a very busy house, she was able to celebrate the holiday with the entire family, lacking not a single one. It was the first time for some years that the whole family was able to gather in this way. It is hoped the memory of that night eased her spirit in passing; a consummate vision of her legacy, held up beside the memories of so many years’ warm family gatherings, and slumber parties featuring over a dozen grandchildren dozing on piles of blankets on her living room floor. It must give unthinkable joy, to have watched so many remarkable young people mature into adulthood, and to recognize yourself the very author of their existence.
Dolly is preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings Louie Sacco, Sonny Sacco, and Joni Flores.
Left to cherish her memory are a great multitude: her husband, Jim; her children, Anne (Rick) Rowell, Cheryl (Dave) Beaver, Jody (Troy) LaFollette, Jamie (Michelle) Lewis, Chrissy (Steve) Palko; 17 grandchildren, Jimmy Hunter, Robby (Kitt) Hunter, Kylie Garner, Brad Lewis, Eric Burton, Sophie Hunter, Taylor Garner, Ryan Lewis, Adam Burton, Kyle Burton, Megan LaFollette, Noah Lewis, Tyler LaFollette, Anna Palko, Ava Lewis, Julia Burton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family members including Bob Hunter and Craig Burton.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 12pm with visitation beginning at 11am at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dolly’s name to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY, 103573 or Donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org).
Please leave a memory or condolence for the family.