Dolores Verbeke (Noni) February 16, 1933-October 31, 2018 Mishawaka-Dolores Verbeke (Noni), 85, departed this life on October 31, 2018 passing peacefully at her home surrounded by her beloved family and close friends. Dolores was born on February 16, 1933 in Mishawaka to Ugo and Adeline (Alessis) Giacomini. She was a lifelong resident of Mishawaka and attended Mishawaka High School and graduated in 1950.
She was proceeded in death by (Alfred) Butch, her husband of 51 years, her parents, Ugo and Adeline Giacomini; her daughter, Amy Schaefer; brothers, Ray and Guerino Giacomini sisters, Julia Bupp and Anita Ransberger; brothers-in-law, Herbert Bupp, Everett Ransberger, and Wayne Pletcher; sisters-in-law, Ann and Frances Giacomini, Dorothy Pletcher; and in-laws Clarence and Irma Verbeke. She is survived by her beloved children, Janice (Bruce) Zimmer, Alan (Ann) Verbeke and Carol (Steve) Fountain; son-in-law, Paul Schaefer. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren, Gina (James) Cunningham-Gloster, Patrick (Savannah) Zimmer, Christopher (Amy) Zimmer, Mike Schaefer, Heather (Kenny) Moore, Megan (Bryan) Bergeron, Stephen (Abby) Fountain, and Gerrard, Flynn and Jenna Scorzelli along with her beloved 18 great-grandchildren, JT, Alexis, Hunter, Ethan, Robbie Cunningham-Gloster, Titus Trapp, Alyssa, Anya, and Ryan Zimmer, Willow, Wyatt, and Logan Bragg, Lilyanna Moore, Frances Fountain, Bennett Schaefer, Bobby, Alexandra and Brenna Chaffee.
She is also survived by her faithful dog, Daisy. Dolores met Butch while working at Wheelabrator-Frye. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage before Butch passed in 2006.
Having worked at Wheelabrator, the City of Mishawaka, her greatest pleasure was working at Emmons Elementary School for 25+ years, retiring in 1994. Her teachers and students were the love of her life and the love she gave will be long remembered. She was a mother, a listener, a mentor, a caregiver and most of all, a generous and loving woman to all she knew.
Dolores gave back to her community being a lifetime member of the PTA. Up until her illness she would help pop popcorn on Fridays at Emmons. She was a Campfire leader for many years.
She was always attending events at either Emmons School or Mishawaka High School or running concessions stands, book fairs and fundraisers. She was a lifelong member at St. Bavo’s where she and Butch taught CCD for many years. She attended and helped at the Medjugorje Conferences at Notre Dame, an event she deeply loved.
She and Butch began the Cursillo retreats when their children were young. Every month, she helped make meals for the Hope Rescue Mission and the Homeless shelter. She and Butch loved helping at the Methodist Albright Church Food Pantry.
Her passion was to always give and she gave endlessly. Dolores loved the Irish of Notre Dame and was an avid fan. She and Butch were season ticket holders for the ND Women’s Basketball team since the program’s inception.
She loved and was loved by so many special people over the years. Thank you to those special friends that assisted in her needs during her final days. Mama, we will miss you, you were the true meaning of what a mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend should be.
Your love will be forever in our hearts until we meet again for eternity. To honor Dolores’ life of giving to others, memorial contributions can be made to: -Mishawaka HS Scholarship Fund or -Albright Methodist Church Food Pantry Visitation will be at Hahn Funeral Home on Sunday, November 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a wake service at 4 p.m. Funeral services will be on held on Monday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Bavo Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to service at funeral home. Graveside services at Fairview Cemetery.
To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www. hahnfuneralhomes.com.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
