Darlene M. Jachym, 96, Heart of Her Family
Darlene M. “Dolly” Jachym (nee Stitak), age 96, of Lorain, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday January 23, 2026.
Dolly was born in Lorain on January 15, 1930 and remained a life-long resident of the city; she was a 1948 graduate of Clearview High School.
Dolly was the heart of her family - a devoted mother and grandmother who set the standard for love, strength, and grace. The proud matriarch of seven children—six daughters and one son—she built a legacy that grew to include twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, each one touched by her care and wisdom. Truly special in every sense, she changed countless lives simply by being herself, offering guidance, laughter, and unconditional love. She lived by the sayings “seven gets you to heaven” and “you get more bees with honey than with vinegar,” lessons she didn’t just speak but embodied every day through kindness, patience, and faith. Her devotion to family was unwavering, and she was the glue that held them together. Though she will be deeply missed, the standard she set and the love she poured into those whose lives were most important to her will live on for generations
A longtime parishioner of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lorain, Dolly joined the kitchen staff of the John J. Gluvna Funeral Chapel in 1982 where she assisted in the preparation of more than fifteen hundred post-funeral fellowship luncheons prior to her retirement in 2001.
Dolly leaves her son Frank Jachym (Christina), and daughters Pam Jachym, Lisa Gasper (Allen), Mary Margaret Jachym, Melanie Lucas, Deidrie Sedivy (John), and Monica Smith (Douglas). Additional survivors include grandchildren Michelle Peterson, Melissa Wagoner, Nicole Cornwell, Mark Whalen, Daniel Lucas, John Lucas, John Sedivy, Leigha Sedivy, Douglas Smith, II, Andrew Smith, Veronica Mediavilla, Kimberly Boesken, and fourteen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter F. Jachym in 2014, father Andrew T. Stitak in 1972, mother, Margaret Stitak (nee Novak) in 2004, along with brothers Jarrett Stitak in 2001 and Andrew Alan “Andy” Stitak in 2017.
Visitation and funeral services will take place privately for the family in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions in Dolly’s memory are encouraged to the Salvation Army – 2506 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.
To share your memories and condolences with her family, please visit Dolly’s tribute page at www.gluvnashimohromada.com.