Jo Ellen Dolecki-Lane

Josephine (Jo) Ellen Dolecki-Lane was born October 20, 1947, in Detroit, MI, and lived in Herman Gardens. She died of breast cancer on February 10, 2025, in Dexter, MI, at home under the loving care of her family. Preceding her in death were her grandparents Homer and Josie Cox and Edith Moria Parks (Francis); her parents Dr. Franklin Cox and Audrey Irene Cox (Parks); sisters, developmentally delayed fraternal twins, Carolyn Elizabeth and Christine Anne Cox; Dr. Timothy Charles Evans, MD (Bonnie’s Father); husband James Anthony Dolecki and son Michael James Dolecki.

Surviving are her husband Randolph Alan Lane, daughter Bonnie Ann Brandstadt (Todd) and their children Nick, Jack, Cam, Mollie and Ellie; daughter Kathryn Irene Dolecki; daughter-in-law Anne Dolecki and granddaughters Emma and Lila Dolecki; sister-in-law Mary (Bob) McNeese and niece Lori (Chet) Ortman; stepson Kraig Lane (Jessica) and their children Annabelle and Gavin Lane.

Jo went to the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Certificate in Physical Therapy in 1970. She went on to Eastern Michigan University and received a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology in 1992 and graduated from the program Phi Kappa Phi. Jo loved being a physical therapist, especially her last 23 years at Ann Arbor VA Hospital working with veterans. She retired in 2010 after working for 40 years as a physical therapist.

Jo loved spending time in East Grand Rapids with Bonnie, Todd and her 5 grandchildren and watching the kids when Bonnie and Todd were out of town on trips and watching the kids play their sports. She spent time in Brighton with Mike and her two granddaughters, going out to eat with them, playing games/cards, and watching both of them play their sports. She spent many years with her entire family down in Vero Beach, FL, where they spent a lot of time engaging in boating, water sports activities, playing games/cards, swimming in the pool, going to the beach and out to eat at many special spots with her parents and sisters and many years over the July 4th holiday with her family at the cottage on Lake Loch Erin in Onsted, MI. The family spent time boating, water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, kayaking, golfing, playing yard games and watching the fireworks on the pontoon boat over the lake. The family had countless meals together telling stories and laughing. Jo was a very active woman who loved being outdoors in nature, going for walks in the woods with her dogs, gardening, playing golf, doing yoga, ice skating, reading and bird watching, especially the purple martins at the cottage and had a deep love for animals. She strongly valued higher education and had a deep affection for the University of Michigan and the city of Ann Arbor. She even named her first child Bonnie Ann after Ann Arbor.

Jo was a convert to Catholicism at age 16. She loved her Catholic faith and attended a 4 year program at Catholic Biblical School of MI (CBSM). She served on St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Council, was a Eucharistic Minister, served on Adult Faith Formation, attended Growing in God, went on Catholic Retreats in Dewitt, MI, worked on the annual Festivals, attended the Fairway to Heaven Golf Outings, Ladies Advent Evening of Reflection, Catechist for children: Faith Formation for 8th grade (with husband Jim), Spring and Fall cleanup, church cleaning, Faith in Action, Meals on Wheels and Food Gatherers. Jo and her daughter, Katie, went on many Catholic Pilgrimages with Steve and Janet Ray including The Holy Land, Italy, Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey and Greece, Lourdes and Fatima in Spain,France and Portugal, Our Lady of Guadeloupe in Mexico and Poland. They also traveled to Maui and Kauai. Randy and Jo traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, China, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Scotland. Jo enjoyed many annual Yoga Retreats in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, with her good friend, Diana Newman. She loved to play pickleball at Wolverine Pickleball, play in various golf leagues and attend weekly yoga classes before she developed breast cancer in 2021. She always enjoyed playing bridge with her best friends, Leslie Westbury, Jan Zehms-Stankrauf, Jean Yoder, Jean Sowers and Kris Ryan. She also enjoyed playing bridge and mahjong at the Dexter Wellness Center.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel from 4-6:30 pm followed by a Rosary led by Katie Dolecki at 6:30pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Village Church), 3430 Dover St, Dexter, MI 48130 on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 11am. Immediately following the funeral mass, please join us for a luncheon served at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Dexter. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Wounded Warriors Project, American Cancer Society or Michigan Humane Society.