DOLORES "DOLLY" MINISALL

Her hugs were big, her laughs frequent and often delightfully irreverent.

Dolores "Dolly" Minisall loved God, her family and friends. Everyone knew that; God, most of all.

She was such an active and respected member of her beloved St. Ambrose Church in Garrettsville that it's hard for her fellow church members to imagine rummage sales and raffles, the Altar & Rosary Society, Giving Trees, choir and other ministries without her. Dolores was that big of a presence, that vital to the church.

Of course, all those things will continue to bring life to the parish; for now they'll just seem less full without her generous soul. She was fun.

Dolores was not only an energetic member of the church she loved, she was also a friend to many of us. Dolores listened. She was easy to talk to, a sympathetic ear for the problems and complaints and inner woes that tumbled out of the hearts of friends, and, sometimes, acquaintances, too.

Dolores became an aunt at age 6. Known as Aunt Dolly to her nieces and nephews, she was like a big sister to them. She'll be deeply missed by her family. She took them to Cleveland Indians games in the '70s as a reward for good grades, and to Browns games in sub-zero weather.

Trips to the Yankee Peddler to see the artisans' work and sample the food were another fond memory with Aunt Dolly (and not as cold as a Browns game). Dolly loved animals, especially dogs. Books were her gift of choice, always with her signature inside. Many are still on their bookshelves.

Niece Lisa Jouriles struggled with reading and writing in second grade. Aunt Dolly spent the following summer helping her master the lessons. The tutoring paid off; when Lisa entered her nursing program, Aunt Dolly and her mom were by her side again, encouraging her and helping her study for exams.

When Lisa's mom, Teresa, died, it was Aunt Dolly who stepped in and helped the grieving family.

"She has been helping us ever since until just these past weeks," Lisa said. "I'm so grateful that she met Chuck who had made her so very happy."

Dolores "Dolly" Minisall, 66, of Hiram, joined her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, November 6, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on June 2, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late James and Antoinette Minisall.

She was a pediatric registered nurse for many years, later becoming a home health care nurse.

Dolores leaves behind her loving partner Chuck Milko; brother James Minisall Jr., nephews James Minisall III (Mary), Robert Minisall (Tami), Frank Monachino (Kim) and Michael Monachino, and nieces Lisa Jouriles (Ernest), Lori Brich (Ronald) and Shelly Monachino, friend Kathryn Trzeciak and many other dear friends and loved ones.
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She was preceded in death by her sister Patricia Monachino and sister-in-law Teresa Minisall.

Please join Dolores' family to celebrate her life with a visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services 8382 Center Street Garrettsville, Ohio 44231.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 12, 2021 at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Freedom St., Garrettsville, with Fr. James Lang presiding. Her remains will be interred later at All Saints Cemetery in Northfield. MASKS ARE REQUESTED BY THE FAMILY FOR THE CALLING HOURS AND FUNERAL MASS.

The ways in which Dolores touched the lives of her family and friends will be revealed in the days and weeks and months ahead. We'll turn to ask her something, or wait for her to show up for an event, and then remember she's running late to a meeting somewhere not in this world, but God's.

Dolores was late for everything except when her time came. That, sadly, came far too early.