Eileen Shirley Winiasz's Obituary
Eileen Shirley Winiasz (née Wolski), 81, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on May 17, 1943, in Lorain, Ohio, Eileen was the beloved daughter of the late Harry Wolski and stepfather Zygmunt and Josephine (née Keller) Dombrowski. A proud graduate of Lorain High School, Class of 1961, she achieved academic honors and went on to earn an associate’s degree in Secretarial Science from Dyke College in Cleveland, where she received specialized training in shorthand and accounting.
Eileen had a diverse and accomplished professional life, holding positions at U.S. Steel Corp., the Lorain Ohio Manufacturing Association in Columbus, Bell Telephone in Columbus, and Advanced Design Industries in Lorain. Her talents and passion also led her to serve the community as a craft teacher at St. Peter's School, and she held roles at Zelek's Florist, the Lorain Library, Lorain Palace, the Lorain Voter Polls, and the Mercy Health Thrift Store.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Eileen was deeply committed to volunteer work, generously giving her time to organizations including the Cleveland Clinic, Serran Club, PTA member and the Lakeland Women’s Club. She was a longtime and devoted member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lorain, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, crafted handmade banners for both St. Peter’s and Nativity parishes, and was a joyful presence at parish picnics.
.Eileen was a woman of many talents. A gifted seamstress, she made her daughter Kristin’s communion and wedding dresses, as well as the entire bridal party's attire. She lovingly sewed her son Zack’s Power Ranger costume, macraméed curtains for her son Matt, and assembled her granddaughter Sabrina’s Irish dance dress. She also delighted in knitting and crocheting and was known for her exceptional cooking and baking. Her creativity extended to home improvement projects, from hanging wallpaper to painting rooms with flair.
Eileen approached life with enthusiasm and joy. She found great pleasure in activities such as bowling, fencing, line dancing, and long walks through her neighborhood and in nature, especially when accompanied by her beloved grandchildren and grand-dogs. A lifelong lover of literature, she also considered herself a connoisseur of fine wine and bourbon. Ever eager for adventure, Eileen embraced experiences both grand and spontaneous, from bus trips to Nashville to a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Europe to see the Pope.
Eileen’s bold, independent spirit was rooted in her strong faith. She brought laughter and energy wherever she went wherever she went, whether riding roller coasters at Cedar Point with her children and grandchildren or diving headfirst into her next new passion. She lived fully and loved fiercely.
She is survived by her loving children, Kristin (Chris DuPrey) Winiasz DuPrey of Bay Village, Matthew Winiasz of Lorain, and Zachary (Justine Curley) Winiasz of Pittsburgh, PA; her beloved grandson, Michael DuPrey; her sister, Kathleen “Cooki” (Lynne Muzik) Muzik; and her former husband, Michael E. Winiasz. She was preceded in death by her precious granddaughter, Sabrina DuPrey (2021); her parents, Harry Wolski, and Zygmunt and Josephine Dombrowski; and her sister, Geraldine Chelmins.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio. Rev. Father Craig Hovanec, Pastor, and Rev. Father Gerald Keller will co-celebrate. Private family inurnment will follow at Lakewood Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eileen’s honor to the Sabrina Noelle Foundation, 565 Humiston Drive, Bay Village, OH 44140 or via VENMO: @SabrinaNoelleFoundation.
Eileen will be remembered for her kind spirit, sharp mind, unwavering faith, and warm heart. Her legacy of service, creativity, and love for her family and community will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dovinreberjones.com.
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