Dolores Tobis (nee Ciappara)

Our family is sad to announce that after an unexpected illness, our dear mother, Dolores Gloria Tobis, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2022. In her last moments, she was surrounded with love and gratitude of her daughters.

Dolores was born on September 21, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan and adopted as an infant by parents Michael Ciappara and Annabelle Madaj. Dolores was a 1953 graduate of Immaculata High School and later earned an associate degree from Madonna University. Dolores was a proud 35-year employee of the Michigan Opera Theatre where she worked until the age of 80.

Beloved wife of the late Robert Tobis (d.1973). Widowed at age 38, Dolores proudly raised five daughters on her own. Dolores later moved from Livonia to Dearborn where she resided for the last 25 years.

Dolores loved her feline friends, all sports, especially the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State Spartan football, reading, watching movies, quilting, collecting milk glass and weekly calls with her granddaughters. She was an excellent cook and had a keen eye for design and decorating.

Dolores is survived by her daughters Patricia (Kerry) Scofield, Karen Tobis, Carol (James) Bartunek, Lori Tobis (Jim Kyle), Tracy McGinnis and former son-in-law Jeff Zehe. Cherished Grandmother to Chris (Lydia), Monica (Mike), Nick (Rachel), Becky (Evan), Olivia, Beth (Will), Mike, Danny, Kelly (fiancé Tim)

and Dylan. Great-grandmother of 7.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. (10:30 a.m. visitation) on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Sacred Heart Parish, 22430 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48124. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit or the Michigan Humane Society.

A celebration of our mother’s life will be held in the future. Dolores loved an occasional pint of Guinness or Jamison whiskey. In honor of our mother, please raise a glass of your favorite beverage to celebrate her wonderful life.