Posted: March 3, 2009 |(0) Comments

Delores P. Petushek of Brookfield died Feb. 22, 2009, at age 77.

She was born April 3, 1931. She loved her independent life. As she had no children, she enjoyed her nieces and nephews as her own. She appreciated the company of her family.

She resided with her sister Ann and brother-in-law Henry Valerio for nearly half her life. She was treated by them not just as a sister, but as if she was one of their children. Her nieces Pat (Doffing) and Carolyn (Reinders) and nephew Jim thought of their Aunt Dee as an older sibling.

In her Brookfield apartment, she was able to read her favorite novels, enjoy cooking, share time with neighbors and appreciate her vintage décor while relaxingly enjoying a cigarette and sipping a Starbucks coffee. She looked forward to her weekly errand day with Carolyn. She liked it best when they could "do lunch." She appreciated talking about meals she could make for the week and looked forward to the next books Carolyn would bring for her.

During her last month, Delores was able to reminisce with Carolyn, Dale, Laurie, Michael and Henry Reinders of Elm Grove about her childhood, her siblings and her travels to Hawaii. Her great-great nephew Henry enjoyed being able to "take care" of his Aunt Dee during her time of need by drawing her pictures and sitting with her in bed for hours each day.

On Jan. 22, she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. From that day on, she gradually slipped into a state of preparedness as her body signaled she would not remain on earth much longer.

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Koenen of Racine and Helen (Myron) Ratkowski of Milwaukee; nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Alex, Peter and Ann.

The Reinders family will be remembering their aunt by planting many of her favorite hydrangeas in their yard. They ask that you think of Delores when admiring these beautiful flowers.