Dolores Edna Wenzel

Dolores Edna (Hale) Wenzel, age 80, of North Quincy, MA, formerly of Beacon Falls, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2024, surrounded by her devoted sons. Born in Manhattan, New York, on July 4, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Magdelena (Wettach) Hale. At around the age of four, Dolores entered the Sheltering Arms Children Services foster care system in NYC, where she faced a challenging upbringing—but her innate kindness and compassion always shone through. Guided by faith and resilience, she met her soulmate, the late Hans W. Wenzel, with whom she shared 57 wonderful years of marriage.

A devoted mother and loving grandmother, Dolores was a constant source of warmth and care for her family. She was survived by her sons, Robert Wenzel and his wife Jonna of New York, and Philip Wenzel and his wife Rebecca of Massachusetts; as well as her two beloved grandchildren, Nolan and Shea. Dolores also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Friedrich Wenzel and his wife Sylvia of Pennsylvania and she was also predeceased by her half-brother-in-law, Peter Heun, and is survived by his wife, Stella. She also leaves behind her foster-brother, Roland Jackson and foster-sister Marion Start as well as her biological sisters Dorothy, Barbara, Jane and Jeanette, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

For 20 years, Dolores worked as a school aide for the Board of Education in Queens, New York, a role that perfectly suited her caring and nurturing personality. She made a lasting impact on the children and families she served, and her legacy of kindness and compassion continues to live on.

Dolores’ life was one of love, perseverance, and deep devotion to her family, faith, and community. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Service celebrating her life will take place on December 7, 2024 at 11am in the New Apostolic Church located at 145 Crossways Park Drive West, Woodbury, NY 11797. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dolores’ name can be made to Rising Ground (www.risingground.org) or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org).