Matilda "Dolores" Bilicki

Matilda “Dolores” Bilicki passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the age of 95. Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. Funeral service will directly follow at 1:00 PM with Fr. David Harvey officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Linden. Those desiring may make contributions to a charity of your choice.

The daughter of Isadore John and Hazel (Allister) Bomarito, Dolores was born on September 30, 1928 in Detroit, MI. Though she excelled at one of her first jobs as a lifeguard on Belle Isle, her innate compassion for others led her to Marimont Nursing School in Detroit. As a Registered Nurse, she worked in several locations, most notably at Hutzel Women’s Hospital in Detroit. In 1950, Dolores married the love of her life, Zigmond Walter Bilicki, and spent 62 wonderful years together until he preceded her in   death on April 11, 2012.

Dolores touched everyone she met and strove to bring joy and light into the lives of her loved ones. She was a member of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Troy. She was also a volunteer at the Sarah Fisher Home for Orphans, and made blankets and quilts for the homeless. Always with an eye on how she could help, she fostered a troubled teen and often donated to charities. During her time with the Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella, she cultivated cherished friendships that lasted a lifetime. For her family, she was the glue that held them together, and was always ready with kind, comforting words.

Everyone who knew Dolores loved her. Her elegance, wit, contagious joyfulness, strength and courage touched us all. She will be greatly missed.  

Dolores is survived by her three children, Kathleen Marie Banks, Carolyn Sue (Harry Swope) Valdivia and Steven Walter Bilicki, as well as three grandchildren, Christopher (Amy) Banks, Andrew (Lindsey) Banks and Kimberly (John Ross) Rain, and eleven great-grandchildren, Thomas, Zach, Leia, Aurora, Max, Ethan, Kiera, Liam, Elijah, Ian and Evan. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sister and brother-in-law Grace and George Puia, brothers Robert and Isadore John (Ted) Bomarito, and son-in-law, Aubrey Banks III. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.