Dolores Patricia Rebecky

A beloved daughter, wife, mother, cousin, niece and friend…Dolores Rebecky passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Dolores Patricia was born on August 7, 1946, to Helen and Edward Monkowski. Dolores grew up an only child – but not a lonely child as she was surrounded by cousins and extended family on Hathaway Street in Wallington, where she grew up and lived the majority of her life. She attended Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Grammar School and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi.

Shortly after high school, Dolores attended a CYO dance and to her surprise, there was a young man there that she recognized. She didn’t know him but would often see him running past her bus stop with his brothers on their way to Wallington High School. When the DJ at the dance announced “Ladies Choice” she wasted no time asking that young man, John Rebecky, to dance. They began dating and continued to date through her attendance of Katherine Gibbs Business School as well as John’s Vietnam draft and tour. To show how dedicated she was to him, during John’s 1-year tour, not a day went by that Dolores did not write him a letter. On November 2, 1968, the 2 were married and a few years later they welcomed daughter Michele. Dolores loved motherhood and little did she know that the love she gave to this little girl would blossom into the best friendship between mother and daughter one day. Like Dolores, Michele is also an only child – however, Michele forged a lifelong friendship at age 3 with a little girl named Teresa Maciag, who soon became like a sister to Michele - and a 2nd daughter to Dolores & John. When Michele married her loving husband, James Howe, Dolores became step-grandmother to James’ 6-year-old daughter, Olivia. Then in 2015, Michele and James were blessed with a son, her grandson, James John Howe.

Dolores retired from Hoffman La Roche in Nutley, where she worked happily for over 30 years. Aside from being a full-time working mom, she was also a true servant to her family and her community on many levels. She was a PTA Member, Little League Softball Coach, Member of the Lions Club, and Member of the Wallington VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Her true passion, aside from getting together with family, taking AC trips with her hubby, or shopping with her bestie, Cathie Cosgrove - was politics.

It is safe to say that Dolores’ blood type was Republican! She belonged to the Wallington Republican Club for decades, and still held the title of Wallington Municipal Chair at the time of her passing. She was a devout member of the Bergen County Republican Organization who named her “Woman of the Year” in 2017, for her hard work and efforts at the county level. Just a few years later, Dolores was recognized as “Woman of the Year” once again, this time by the NJ Republican Organization, at the state level. From planning Beefsteak fundraisers, AC bus trips, organizing flier distribution for an election or scheduling election workers at the polls…she did it all - but more importantly did it very well. Saying she worked hard for what she believed in is an understatement and she gave so much of herself without expecting anything in return. That was her personality across all facets of her life. She had a heart of gold and if you needed anything, she was there for you - whatever the capacity. Dolores was a shining example of someone who truly loved people and in turn, they loved her back.

Dolores is predeceased by her loving parents Edward and Helen Monkowski, wonderful father and mother in-law, Joseph and Margaret Rebecky, beloved sister-in-law Kathleen (Kate) Rebecky, and dear brothers-in-law Richard and Joseph Rebecky.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, John, who was her caregiver when health issues arose. She is also survived by her daughter, Michele and her husband James Howe, grandchildren Olivia Claire and James John Howe, sister-in-law Jennifer Faries, brother-in law Frank Rebecky and his wife Terri, her Aunt Joan and Uncle Gene Nowicki, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Her immeasurable spirit and strength will not be forgotten, nor will the warmth of her smiles and hugs. She will be truly missed.

Please join us to remember Dolores, pay respects and share memories, as we celebrate her beautiful life – one that was well-lived to its fullest each day.

Viewing on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 2-6PM at Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Avenue, Wallington, NJ. Funeral Service on Monday June 2, 2025, at 10:30AM.