DOROTHY B. PETRISKI

Dorothy B. Petriski

September 10, 1922 – November 7, 2026

Dorothy B. Petriski, 104 years young, peacefully passed away on November 7, 2026, bringing to a close a remarkable life filled with love, laughter, faith, and more than a century of perfectly timed wisecracks.

Born on September 10, 1922, to Polish immigrants John and Helen, Dorothy was a first-generation American who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. One of eight children, she was the last surviving member of her generation of siblings, having outlived her four brothers and three sisters. She was raised with a strong appreciation for family, hard work, faith, and Polish traditions that she would carry throughout her extraordinary life.

At just 18 years old, Dorothy married Frank Petriski. Together, they built a life that included co-owning a grocery store and raising their daughter, Carol. While Frank served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Washington, Dorothy worked at Alcoa as a secretary, demonstrating the independence and determination that would define her life.

Dorothy loved cooking, dancing the polka, playing pinochle, and traveling. Her homemade pierogies and nut horns were family favorites, but perhaps nothing could compete with her legendary pancakes-each one practically the size of the plate it was served on. She also had an undeniable sweet tooth, never turning down nut mallow, a sweet treat, or a Werther’s hard candy. At 104, she had certainly earned the right to eat dessert whenever she pleased.

An avid reader throughout her life, Dorothy could easily finish a book a week, a habit she maintained for nearly a century. She spent countless hours in the library, where her love of reading fueled an endless curiosity about the world around her. For Dorothy, there was always another book to read and something new to learn. Perhaps one of her greatest gifts was passing that love of reading, learning, and knowledge down through four generations of her family. Her legacy lives on not only in the stories she told, but in the generations she inspired to keep turning the pages.

Her quick wit remained one of her most endearing qualities. During a visit to the doctor in her nineties, she was asked at checkout whether everything had gone well. Without missing a beat, Dorothy replied, “Yes, we’re having a boy.”

That was Dorothy. A century of living never dulled her sense of humor.

When asked the secret to her extraordinary longevity, Dorothy’s answer was simple: “Always push forward and trust in the Lord.” Those words reflected the faith and resilience that carried her through life’s joys, challenges, and inevitable losses.

Dorothy was the beloved mother of Carol Czack (the late Larry); cherished grandmother of Michelle Hudak (the late Andy), Tanya Czack (Vince Holocker), Michael Czack (Traci Moore), Pam Czack, and the late Anthony Czack. She was also the proud great-grandmother of 11 and great-great-grandmother of seven.

After 104 years, Dorothy leaves behind far more than memories. She leaves generations of family, treasured traditions, a lifelong love of learning, a legacy of unwavering faith, and enough unforgettable one-liners to keep everyone laughing for years to come.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she has been reunited with the loved ones who went before her. And knowing Dorothy, she probably had something to say the moment she arrived.

In her honor, share a laugh, read a book and above all, have a Werther’s for Nana.

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 6750 State Rd., Parma, Monday November 16, 2026 at 11 a.m. Private Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church Monday from 10- 11 a.m.