Dolores (Dee) Dembek Kostelnik

Wife, Mother, Friend; Dee's story began in Lorain, OH, a small industrial town on the shores of Lake Erie, on April 10, 1939 to Leo and Amelia Dembek. Growing up on a small farm with her parents and sister in a vibrant Polish-American community, she graduated from Amherst High School. It was this upbringing that shaped her into a strong, independent, loyal and tenacious woman-traits that would serve her well throughout her life. Her Polish heritage was a fundamental part of her life and she made sure to share that pride with her children and grandchildren through foods, crafts, dancing and art from her family's native homeland.

Following her high school graduation, Dee moved to New York City to work. Upon her return to Lorain, she became involved in the music industry and served as the National President of the Pat Boone Fan Club. As president, Dee was invited to the filming of the Pat Boone movie "April Love" in Kentucky. She always tried to attend any Pat Boone concerts where she lived and she remained friends with Pat throughout her life.

Dee attended the University of Dayton and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Drawing on her love of musical theater, Dee worked with the Dayton Parks and Recreation Drama program, teaching all areas of stage craft to young people.  While at Dayton, she was introduced to her future husband, Leonard (Len) A. Kostelnik, by a mutual friend of both sets of parents. In 1961, they met in front of the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the University and knew from that moment they would spend the rest of their lives together.  Their deep and abiding love, commitment and partnership carried them through the good times and the challenges through their nearly 60 years together.

They were married on November 24, 1962 at Saint Stanislaus Church in Lorain. On that day, Dee became the proud wife of a U.S. Army officer and began a nomadic life, traveling across the United States and the world to Fort Lee, VA; Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone; Fort Holabird, MD; Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Huachuca, AZ; the Presidio of San Francisco, CA; Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN; Fort Knox, KY; and Fort Meade, MD. She was an active military wife, participating in organizational and Officer Wives Club activities during every assignment--and she remained close to all the friends she met throughout the years.

In 1963, she became the proud mother of twin daughters, Lisa and Lori, who were born prematurely at Fort Lee. Sadly, because of the early birth, Lisa only survived a month.  While Len was away on a military assignment, her third daughter, Amy, was born in 1965 in Lorain. After Len returned from Vietnam, they were assigned to Fort Huachuca for 4 years where 2 more daughters joined the family--Karen in 1971 and Beth in 1973. The family shared many adventures traveling across the country--and enjoyed the special experiences Dee always planned for them, from visits to California Wine Country to Mount Rushmore to "My Old Kentucky Home".  Always wanting to teach her daughters about history and the greatness of America, they toured as many sites as possible during all of their Army assignments.  She passed many of her loves and passions to her daughters and grandchildren, and her legacy lives on now through them.

Dee found great joy in teaching religious education classes to children, as sharing her faith was very important to her. While stationed at the Presidio, she received a prestigious religious education teacher of the year award from the diocese for her dedication and service. Her Faith never waivered and carried her through the challenges of being an Army Wife, Mother, and especially during the later years of her life.  She was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Severna Park since 1985.

Upon Len's retirement from the Army, they settled in Severna Park, MD where they currently reside. Part of the team in the early days of Edinboro Early School, a preschool in Severna Park, Dee shared her passion for educating children and used her life experiences while a teacher for 10 years. She especially loved directing the summer program by planning creative experiences for the children that left an indelible mark on their lives. She was also an active band parent for Karen and Beth, chaperoning the Severna Park High School Band to competitions, supporting other band activities throughout the year, and assisting Len, who was president of the Band Boosters for two years.

Dee's passions and hobbies included cooking and baking, flower arranging, gardening, cake decorating, embroidery and cross stitch. Growing up on a farm, Dee had a lifelong love of animals and nature, and was always surrounded by a variety of cats and dogs.  She found great joy in planning family birthday and holiday celebrations. All of her skills and talents were self taught and she always happily provided her creations--whether flower arrangements, cookies, or cakes--to any friends who asked for them, making her a special part of many weddings, baptisms, graduations and other celebrations. Throughout her life, she was selfless and generous, always the first person to assist anyone in need.

Dee's lifelong love of sports began as a child listening to the Cleveland Indians games with a transistor radio hidden under her pillow at night, and she and her family enjoyed attending sporting events. Living in Maryland, she became a devoted supporter of the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens along with the college teams of the schools her daughters attended. She and Lieutenant Colonel Len were rivals during the Army-Navy games, having developed an affinity for the Naval Academy during her 35 years living in Maryland.

After becoming ill 10 years ago, Dee's activities became limited, but she found great joy in watching her Grandchildren grow and learn all the lessons, ideas and values from their Grandmother. Complications of her illness led to her death on January 31, 2020. She was surrounded by family and friends and passed away peacefully.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Leonard and daughters Lori Janning (Chambersburg, PA); Amy Insley (Grasonville, MD) and her husband, Jack Insley, and their children, Nickolas and Katia; Karen Kostelnik (Arnold, MD); and Beth Kostelnik (Arnold, MD).

Friends may visit Friday February 7, 2020 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care,P.A. 495 Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, MD 21146. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Saturday February 8, 2020 at 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church 689 Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, MD 21146.