Dorothy E. Dimitroff, 88, of Huntley, passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of August 16, 2023. Dorothy was born on August 1, 1935 to Walter and Dorothy Krueger. She had an impressive career as a nurse and always prided herself on becoming an RN. It was her career in nursing that led her to meet her soulmate and the love of her life, Dr. Ivan (John) Dimitroff. She would often tell sweet stories of how John would write her love letters during her nurses training at St. Joseph’s Hospital. They loved each other deeply and their love story was one in a million. On September 21, 1957 they were married at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois. They spent 59 wonderful years together living first in Park Ridge and later in Huntley.
To Dorothy, family was everything. What she loved most in life was being a mother and a grandmother. She was truly the happiest when she got to spend time with her family on holidays and on vacations to Door County, Wisconsin and St. Pete Beach, Florida. During her younger years, she was a world traveler. In fact, she used to say that she knew Europe better than she knew the United States due to all of her travel abroad.
In her later years, her hobbies included, crocheting, sewing, and doing crossword puzzles. For every holiday, she would sew holiday-themed pillowcases for her grandchildren. She even crocheted large quilts and blankets for them, and they still cherish them to this day. Her grandchildren, Jennifer and Jessica, first learned to sew and crochet from her. For the past few years, she enjoyed watching Hallmark Movies and Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, where she was married. Watching Mass reminded her of her late husband, who she missed dearly after he passed 7 years before her.
Dorothy used to pride herself on being unique and different. She always said what was on her mind and how she felt and never let anyone stand in the way of being who she was. Her jokes, her laughter, her advice, and her ability to poke fun at everything will live on forever. She was truly one of a kind. Dorothy was loved so very much and will be deeply cherished and missed by many.
She is survived by her two loving children, Mary Kay (Michel) Gontarek and Michael (Carol) Dimitroff. Dorothy is also survived by her four beloved grandchildren, Jennifer Gontarek, Jessica (John) Leibforth, William Dimitroff and Daniel Dimitroff.
She was preceded in death by her parents (Dorothy and Walter), her husband (Ivan (John)), and by her siblings (David, Walter, and Stephanie).
A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4pm - 7pm at DeFiore Funeral Home (10763 Dundee Road, Huntley) and a visitation will be held from 9 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church and the funeral Mass will follow on Friday, August 25, at 10am at St. Mary Catholic Church (10307 Dundee Road, Huntley). Entombment will be at All Saints Cemetery.
For Further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Dear Mike, Mary and your families, We're very sorry for the loss of your Mom/Grandma, my Aunt/Godmother...may she rest in Heavenly peace with your Dad/Grandpa/Uncle John. Going forward, we pray that all of you can now think of them together again and reflect on all of the happy times you shared as a family. With our deepest condolences, love and prayers, Kim Krueger Tornabeni and Family
Will be with you in spirit on the 24th in tribute to Dorothy. We never got to meet her but knowing Jessica and hearing her stories of her, we feel the connection she had to everyone she met. All who knew her have a new angle watching over them.
Dear Mary Kay, Mich, Jessica and Jennifer. Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your Mom/Mother-in Law and Grandma. Sincerely, Judy Havlicek
Mary Kay and Family, our sincere condolences upon the death of your Mother and Grandmother. May she rest in peace. Love, the Riley's