On December 10, 2019, Deloris Belle Pawlikowski (née Hampton) suddenly and unexpectedly passed away after suffering a heart attack. She died in the arms of her youngest daughter Emily, who was frantically administering CPR before the rescue team arrived. This passing comes as a shock to her family and friends because she was in such great shape, still going strong and living a useful and active life at the age of 86.

Deloris or Dee as she was called by all who knew her was born Sept. 16, 1933 in Altoona, PA, eldest daughter of John and Lena Hampton, one of nine siblings living in tough times during the Great Depression. At age 9, while suffering a life-threatening illness, she went to live with her mother's sister, her Aunt Peg and Uncle Sam Cornelius, who raised her in loving surroundings through high school  She attended Western Pennsylvania Hospital Nursing School, graduating in 1953. At West Penn she heard of an orderly in the psychiatric ward reading Shakespeare to the patients and soon after married her husband, Eugene Pawlikowski, Sr.

Dee started her career as a registered nurse in Pittsburgh, PA and had three children there, Gene, Jr., Jennifer and Stephen. After the family moved to Dayton, OH in 1961, Dee gave birth to Peter and Emily. In 1966 the family moved to Silver Spring, MD so her husband could attend law school. She worked tirelessly as an R.N. to support her husband during this ambitious venture. Throughout this time she was always a rock solid leader of her family and community. In Silver Spring, MD Dee enrolled her children in St. Camillus Catholic School where she was instrumental in creating a CYO sports program for girls. At the time in 1967, girls were not encouraged to play sports, but Dee was determined to make sure her girls and all their friends had all the same fun, fitness and competition as the boys. She created and administered the St. Camillus CYO program for girls' basketball, softball and powder puff football. This was one of the first programs for girl's sports in the Diocese and Mom was very proud of that achievement.  She started the cheerleading program; she also gave beauty lessons at the school.  She had a strong influence on the lives of many girls and women at school, and in the many hospitals where she was a critical care nurse in the Washington area.  She was a lifelong patient advocate working lovingly with patients and families to advance the concept of natural and dignified death.  In the mid-1960's, Dee was active in the Civil Rights, Equal Rights and pro-life movement to prevent legalization of abortion on demand.  Her courage in standing up for exploited minorities, patients, women and unborn children defined her character.

As a Mother, Dee was an unwavering moral compass. There was the right way or no way at all. There was always room for improvement, no resting on laurels, no bragging, only dedication to the goal at hand. Her courage in the face of demanding cultural changes in the 1960's, 70's and 80's inspired all who knew her.  She demanded that her children never start a fight but if a fight could not be avoided, she always said "finish it". Don't be a victim. Stand up for what's right no matter what it cost.  She could always be counted on to back up her kids and when they were wrong, she would be the first to point it out. There was no more honest person. Her educated and passionate opinions touched all who knew her. She was reliable and sober but also a great dancer, singer and party guest. She was a generous host and her family gatherings were legendary, with live bands in the backyard to celebrate whatever achievement, graduation and honors were worthy of notice. Dee was always ready for a party and always ready to shower her guests with hospitality.

Dee had many interests and hobbies. She loved the Christmas holiday, baking, decorating and giving presents. She was an active member of the church choir in her youth, singing in Latin before the vernacular was introduced.  She taught CCD at St. Camillus and more recently she was a 5 ^th grade prep teacher at St. Andrews. She was also involved with many other church ministries.  Dee liked to sew and made many beautiful things throughout life.  She liked to garden, was a voracious reader, devout to her rosary, generous and supportive to friends and family.  She was always a good neighbor, always friendly and kind to strangers, easy to laugh with a great sense of humor, truly living faith in action.  Dee loved hiking in the mountains, camping at Assateague Island and other state parks with her daughters and other members of her camping family.  She loved her pets, walking her dog in the park, riding her bicycle, and most of all, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dee went out at the top of her game. At age 86 she was still driving her car, still riding her bicycle at the beach, still able to remember all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her kids' birthdays, holidays, everything just like always. This world has lost a great woman whom was loved by many and who had a seemingly unlimited capacity for unconditional love. She treated all of her children's friends as if they were her own. And no matter how much you failed, Dee was already praying for you to improve, recover and succeed. She prayed consistently for everyone she knew and she was not bashful about telling you she was hoping someday her prayers would be answered.

Dee is survived by her sister Bonnie Boore of Montgomery, PA, her five children, Gene Pawlikowski and wife Basia of Burlington, VT, Jennifer Pawlikowski of Ocean City, MD, Stephen Pawlikowski and wife Ana of Silver Spring, MD, Peter Pawlikowski of Key Largo, FL, and Emily Pawlikowski of Annapolis, MD. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stephen Ryan Pawlikowski and wife Jessica of Glen Burnie, MD, Taylor Mason and husband Kyle of Pasadena, MD, Sean Simpson of Ocean City, MD, Adria Milewski and husband Matthew of Salt Lake City, UT, Claudia Pawlikowski of Burlington, VT, and Joshua & Justin Pawlikowski of Key Largo, FL. And Dee was delighted by her great grandchildren, Jackie and Lilly Pawlikowski, Zane Mason and Miles Milewski.

May our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Teacher, Colleague, Aunt, Friend, Neighbor and Truly Good Christian, Deloris Belle Pawlikowski, finally rest in peace in the presence of the Dear Lord who gave her such comfort and strength through all the challenges of Life. She will be truly missed for a long time.

A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday December 17, 2019 at 10:00am at St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church 701 College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409.