Funeral Details

Doreen Kolasinski

August 24, 1951 - April 16, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Celebration of Life

Burning Bush Brewery
4014 North Rockwell
Chicago, Illinois 60618
Get Directions
Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 12 Noon
From 12 noon until 3:00 PM

Interment - Private





OBITUARY

Sadly, Doreen Z. Kolasinski (née Zarymbski), 74, of Chicago, Illinois, quietly passed away at her home, April 16, 2026, after years of struggling courageously with ovarian cancer. She was extremely well-loved as a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, sister-in-law, co-worker, friend, and neighbor. She touched so many lives with her warmth, kindness, creativity, sense of humor and adventure, and an enormous amount of consideration for others before herself.

Doreen was born August 24, 1951, to her now deceased parents, Mitchell and Irene Zarymbski (née Kalcsics), in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Saint Benedict High School in 1969, she went on to work as an Executive Assistant at different banks and investment firms for 48 years, becoming the primary provider for her husband and daughter. In 2017, she retired to enjoy being surrounded by love and laughter at family gatherings, and to continue her passion for organic backyard gardening, crafts, and baking, specifically, her celebrated cookies.

Doreen was predeceased by her grandparents, Andrew and Stella Kalcsics (née Pollock) and Alexander and Catherine Zarymbski (nee Potempa). She is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter, Cori; brother, Glenn Zarymbski (Charlotte); niece/goddaughter, Sarah Brown (Logan); and aunt/godmother, Emily Cedergren; as well many cousins, nieces, and nephews who will always be touched by her spirit and generosity.

A celebration of Doreen's life will take place at the Burning Bush Brewery (in the River Room), 4014 North Rockwell, Chicago, Illinois, 60618 on Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM Consider wearing something green to honor Doreen's favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, donating to the following organizations would be one way to honor Doreen and her life:
The Loving Seed - www.thelovingseed.org/donate
Trees for a Change - www.treesforachange.com/collections/memorial-trees-sympathy-gifts?srsltid=AfmBOorO6EWiYEbJoaKn1gV4F6THFvTfS3KxCCdUwBBek1g9N8OQi6oN
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center - give.northwestern.edu/campaigns/60449/donations/new?a=9887409&designation_id=N3027014&utm_campaign=OCST&utm_content=FSMOG&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=FSM
Culinary Care - culinarycare.org/donate

Arrangements under the direction of Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options. For additional information or assistance, please call 773.654.3744 or visit www.midtownfunerals.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Doreen Kolasinski below and we will share them with the family.
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Mike, Cori, Glenn, & Family,

This picture is exactly as I remember Auntie Dor. I always remember her beauty, gorgeous flowing hair, soothing voice, calming nature, and loving kindness. I remember from a very young age learning that she worked downtown in "the big city", and how inspiring it was as a young girl who grew to eventually do the same. Though our families lost touch, those cherished memories have and will remain with me. I feel thankful to have shared our annual letters recently. Despite her battle, it was clear that her beauty endured and her spirit never dimmed. I am saddened to hear of her passing. My heart and prayers are with you all.

Jenny Lorek
April 29, 2026
I am so sorry to hear Auntie Dory passed. She was always so sweet and I have many fond memories of her at family Christmas parties. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless.

Christina Lorek
April 29, 2026
As unique and engaging a person as anyone I’ve ever known. She was loved and cherished as a friend and neighbor by me and my family for decades. We will miss her presence, but never forget her spirit and essence. Rest easy, Dor, and thanks for being you.

Jay Whitehouse
May 2, 2026
I will truly miss my sister-in-law, Dor for her warmth, generosity, and selflessness. I will always remember her with a smile on her face as well as her strength and courage. I was amazed that after her chemo treatments she still had the energy to go on long bike rides. She was such a beautiful person both inside and out and the world is a less beautiful place without her. Dor, I love you and will miss you immensely. I wish you peace.

Sis von Jacobi
May 2, 2026
I am so sorry to hear about Dory, she was one of the nicest and sweetest person we met. Remembering all the great holidays together is what I will remember. Mike you had a good one there, may God bless her.
Tom Lorek

Tom Lorek
May 4, 2026
Dear Cori and Mike,
We are so sad to hear about Doreen. I have such fond memories of your family always coming to the Indy Park Farmers Market. Doreen always smiling, asking how everybody was doing, always being surrounded by all your friends, laughing easily, always so gracious.

George and Pat Clark
May 5, 2026
Mike and Cori,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your wife and Mom. May her memory be a blessing.

Fondly,
Kitty Loewy

Kitty Loewy
May 5, 2026
Over the years, Mitri and I have appreciated, and in fact, looked forward to any event where Doreen’s cookies were to be served. Doreen modeled for my class a few years ago. She was a great model ! We were so lucky she agreed to do it.
We were about to ask again when her health prevented it.
She was brave , courageous and determined to live her life. Doreen was an inspiration for us all.

Jessica Fine Dozoretz
May 5, 2026
We were good friends of the Kolasinskis and remember the good times at the softball games and Mike Pestrak's Pearl Harbor parties. We're glad we got to see Dor at the Sullivan's 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Another fond memory was celebrating their 25th anniversary with them at the Grove. It was a beautiful celebration. Dor was the nicest person, and we will miss her very much. Our prayers are with her family and friends.
Love,
Dave & Roseann Spiewak

Dave Spiewak
May 11, 2026
Mike & Cori,
My deepest condolences. Doreen was truly a gem. I’ll always remember when Ed, Andie, and I visited Chicago and stayed in the lower level of the house. Dor made sure the fridge was stocked and that we had plenty of snacks waiting for us. It was such a thoughtful gesture and so reflective of how sweet and caring she was. She will be dearly remembered.
With love,
Larissa

Larissa Kolasinski
May 13, 2026
Doreen was so courageous in her fight to live. She thinks these.was always so positive and enthusiastic every time I saw her. She was famous for her delicious cookies in return, especially knowing how much she loved making them and sharing them with everyone. We will remember her with great fondness for her joie de vivre. Not specifically.

Jessica Fine Dozoretz
May 14, 2026
I will sadly mis her Dor

Dave Speiwak
May 19, 2026
Mike and Cori,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Doreen was one beautiful and brave woman, inside and out. Keep her memories close to your hearts.
Sincerely,
Maria Sosenko

Maria sosenko
May 23, 2026
Doreen can easily be remembered as kind, caring and hard working. As others know, she was known as the “cookie lady” and actually as an excellent cookie lady..

We will miss the talents she brought to everyone daily.
Rosemarie and Ray Reid

Rosemarie and Ray Reid
May 25, 2026
Dear Mike and Cori,
I am just so heartbroken for both of you. Dor was just such a fun person to be around. She was naturally quiet but she had a quirky sense of humor and she loved to laugh. We had so many great memories of all the Fielder parties. We could always count on Dor to bring some phenomenal dessert!
I’m so sad her cancer won at the end. I’ve never met anyone with her grit and determination to beat her cancer. I’m so happy I got to see her at the house only two weeks before she passed. And she was up and energetic that day. Life isn’t fair.
I’m praying for you to find the strength to get through this. Hold on tight to each other. The road ahead is very tough.
Sending you SO much love and support. May God Bless You and hold you during this difficult time.

Mary Howe
May 31, 2026
Mike and Cori,
We are so saddened for the loss of our neighbor and the sweetest person I ever met. I had a hard time writing, because every time I think that I am not going to see Doreen anymore, I start crying. She was always super sweet and kind to my boys. My youngest one cried for 2 days, how come we are not going to see Miss Doreen. She treated them like the were family to her. I am still waiting for her to came outside to do gardening and have a nice chat.
We will deeply miss her.
Luiza, Rod, Dean and Sammy

Luiza Pijal
May 31, 2026