Wanda A. Dovin, 85, First woman funeral director in Lorain

Born July 23, 1919 in Lorain, she lived here until moving to Blue Bird Beach, Vermilion in 1982. Most recently she had lived in Westlake and then Amherst.

She was a graduate of Lorain High School class of 1937B, and a graduate of Oberlin School of Commerce. After this, she became the payroll clerk at her parent's business, The Central Bakery, in Lorain. After her marriage, she assisted her husband in the funeral service profession. In 1942 Wanda and her husband John, opened their first funeral home on Elyria Ave at E. 29th St., in Lorain. In the late 1940's, they began building a new colonial style funeral home, the first in the County designed specifically for funeral services on Elyria Ave. and E. 27th St., having a grand opening in 1950. During this time, she completed studies at the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science. She received her funeral director's license in 1952, making her the first woman funeral director in Lorain. In 2002, Wanda was recognized for 50 years of service by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association.

In the early 1950's she was instrumental in forming the Parent Teacher Unit at St. Stanislaus Elementary School, where she continued to be active for many years.

Mrs. Dovin was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Lorain, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lorain, Virgin Mary Society, St. Ann's Auxiliary No. 287 of the Knights of St. John, St. Stanislaus Altar and Rosary Society and Ladies Guild, Holy Trinity Ladies Guild, the Polish Legion of American Veterans Auxiliary, the St. Ann's Lodge No. 75 of the Union of Poles, Queen of Poland Lodge No. 754 of the Polish Women's Alliance, the St. Casimir's Lodge No. 1321 of the Polish National Alliance, the St. Ann's Lodge No. 114 of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union, National Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, and the Greater Lorain County Funeral Directors Association.

She enjoyed spending time during the summers at her cottage in Blue Bird Beach, Vermilion, which became her summer home in 1982. Wanda also enjoyed spending her winters in North Port, Florida. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, polkas, collecting blue birds, everyone's pets, and the company of others.

She is survived by 2 sons; Launey J. of Amherst, and Wayne R. of Fort Myers, Florida, 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, John R. in 1993, parents, Edward and Teofila (nee Klukovich) Kowalski, daughter-in-law Joan C. Dovin, in 2002, and 4 brothers; Stanley, Edward, Ben, and Joseph.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain. Friends will also be received on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, East 28th St. and Elyria Ave., Lorain. A combined rosary service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. in the church. The funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. with Rev. Fr. George Vrabel, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Berea, and Rev. Fr. Kevin Shemuga, pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, officiating. Rev. William Schill, deacon, will assist. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

Contributions can be made if desired to Sisters of St. Basil 500 W. Main St. Uniontown, PA, 15401, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 2702 Elyria Ave., Lorain, Ohio 44055, or Holy Trinity Church, 2428 Elyria Ave., Lorain, 44055, or to the New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ave., Elyria, Ohio, 44035.