Dolores Love

Dolores Ann Love, 71 years, of Monroe, MI went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 21, 2010. Dolores had been in Mercy Memorial Hospital for the past 6 days and in declining health since December. Dolores was born September 4, 1938 in Monroe, MI the daughter of the late Frank and Josephine M. (D’Arpini) D’Alessandri. Dolores was a 1956 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and went on to graduate from the St. Charles School of Nursing in Toledo as a Licensed Practical Nurse. On October 27, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroe, Dolores married the love of her life Gerald Lewis Sakala. Fr. John Kiernan performed the ceremony. Sadly, Gerald preceded her in death in December of 1960. Dolores worked as an LPN at Frenchtown Convalescent Center and for the Veterans Administration in Battle Creek, MI as well as other health care facilities in the United States for 35 years. Dolores was also a licensed paramedic. Dolores was an active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church where at one time she was the church organist. Dolores was a very spiritual person and was a member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis. Most of all Dolores loved her family especially those Sunday dinners with everyone gathered around to enjoy each other. Dolores is survived by 3 loving children; Regina M (Jerry L.) Berry of Newport, MI, Gerald Lewis (Marilyn) Sakala of Rosemont, MN and Paul Joseph (Sharon M. Conley) Knezevich of Monroe and 12 cherished grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents Dolores was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home where the 3rd Order of St. Francis will conduct a Rosary at 1:00 PM. On Monday, January 25, 2010 she will lie in state at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 9:00 AM until Mass of The Resurrection celebrating her life at 10:00 AM. Fr. William Fisher pastor of the church will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church.