Cover photo for Dolores  M. "Smitty" Ambrozich's Obituary
Dolores  M. "Smitty" Ambrozich Profile Photo
1928 Dolores 2022

Dolores M. "Smitty" Ambrozich

March 12, 1928 — May 23, 2022

Dolores M “Smitty” Ambrozich

Age 94, passed away on May 23, 2022 at her home in Vista, California, where she lived with her daughter and grandson since 2020.

Born on March 12, 1928 in Joliet, Dolores was the daughter of Vincent and Clara (Née Dolosinski) Smith. She was raised in the Joliet area and married Joseph F. Ambrozich on June 29, 1947 in Holy Cross Catholic Church. 

Dolores was a lifelong resident of Joliet. In 2020, she made her new home in Vista, CA where she enjoyed the last eighteen months spending time with her daughter, grandson, her brother and family.

She enjoyed cruise vacations, knitting, playing bunco with her “Bunco Babes”, Friday night dinners with her Elks group and casinos. Most of all, Dolores loved and enjoyed all of her family and friends.

Survivors include her son, Joseph (Terri) Ambrozich of Shorewood, IL; her daughter, Claire Ambrozich Lopez of Vista, CA; grandchildren, Amy (Derek) Knapp, Michael Lopez and Joseph Ambrozich; great grandchildren, Elliot Ambrozich (Samatha) and Lillian Knapp; great great grandson, Elias Ambrozich, and her brother, Gerald “Sonny” Smith.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Joseph F. (Jova) Ambrozich (2010); parents, Vincent and Clara Smith, and her in-laws; Joseph and Mary (Née Skoff) Ambrozich.                

A Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 706 N. Broadway Street, Joliet, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Chris Groh officiating.

Dolores will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Joliet.   

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL   815-735-2125.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dolores M. "Smitty" Ambrozich, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Visitation

Saturday, July 23, 2022

10:00 - 10:45 am (Central time)

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Memorial Mass of Christian Burial

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

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Burial

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Starts at 12:15 pm (Central time)

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery

1500 N Raynor Ave, Joliet, IL 60435

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