Dolores Ackley Dzialo

Dolores Ackley Dzialo, 78, of Lebanon, CT, passed away March 2 after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Dolores was born in New Bedford, MA on November 2, 1932, the daughter of the late Jesse and Mercedes Malta Medeiros. She became a resident of Willimantic in 1957. She was the proprietor of the Ann-Marie Spirit Shoppe for 25 years and most recently of Paw Prints of Windham, a pet sitting service. A long term Republican party member, Dolores served the town of Windham for 14 years as both a Board of Education member and a member of the Board of Selectman. She was also active for many years in the American Legion Auxiliary. Dolores touched many lives in her adopted community of 54 years. She was a dedicated mother and wife, an avid worker, an animal lover, and a fierce defender of merit based achievement for all. She will be deeply missed. Dolores leaves her husband of 14 years, Rodney Dzialo; her daughter, Gail Provost of North Franklin and her husband Richard; her daughter, Ann-Marie Halsted of London, England and her husband John; three step-children, Brian, Eric and Jennifer Dzialo; three grandchildren, Nathan Provost and his wife Christina, and Olivia and Nicolas Halsted; one great-grandchild, Anthony Provost; and many nieces and nephews. Dolores was predeceased by her former husbands Leonard Fernandes and Edwin F ("Cy") Ackley, Jr. She is also predeceased by her brother, William, and her sisters, Mary and Elisabeth. Dolores' family will receive friends and relatives from 6:00-8:00 pm on, MARCH 25 at Potter's Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Route 195), Willimantic. A private burial will be held at the New Willimantic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in honor of Dolores to either the Humane Society or the American Cancer Society.