Dolsa M. Sciaky

Dolsa Miranda Sciaky, a kind and gentle soul, passed away peacefully on September 8th, 2026 in Northbrook, IL, her beloved sisters by her side.

The second oldest of five children, Dolsa was born on December 28th, 1959 to Albert and Fritzi Kurtz Sciaky. Raised in the leafy suburb of Palos Park, Illinois, she attended Carl Sandburg High School for two years then transferred to Kingswood School Cranbrook in Michigan, graduating from there in 1978. While there, she particularly enjoyed her fiber arts and ceramics classes.

Dolsa and her siblings spent their summers at the family cottage on Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan. She cherished her time there, especially meals at Russ’ restaurant and playing on the beach.

A fascination with food science and the opportunity to spend time with her maternal relatives in Minnesota led Dolsa to enroll at the University of Minnesota School of Economics. She graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Food Service Management in 1985. She worked in food service at several institutions in the Chicago area, including the University of Illinois-Chicago. Later, she worked with Fritzi for many years at the Lemont Public Library where her calm manner and attention to detail suited the role of library page very well.

Dolsa’s passing ends a lifelong, gallant struggle with schizoaffective disorder and depression which she managed with the support of treatment, family and friends. Though her illness circumscribed many aspects of her life, it did not dim her love for living. She was an amazingly kind and loving daughter, sister, sponsor and friend to many. She drew strength from her Catholic faith and membership in Overeaters Anonymous and Clutterers Anonymous, where she found kindred spirits, and cultivated lasting friendships with Schuyler and Mary. As a young adult, Dolsa travelled to Greece and France to visit extended family. An ardent fiber artist, she gifted many friends and relations with unique, handcrafted keepsakes. She adored cats and adopted them over the years. A holiday or birthday card from Dolsa was always a special treat, as she selected and hand wrote them with such care and love.

Dolsa will be remembered for her radiant smile, her devotion to family and friends, generous spirit and a determination to live authentically in the face of daunting health challenges.

Dolsa is survived by her sisters Juliette Delannoy (Mike), Ada Vaughan (Tom Nowicki), Alexandra Sciaky (April Campbell, MD), her nephews Nicholas Delannoy and Benjamin Sciaky, and nieces Madeleine Delannoy and Zola Nowicki. She was predeceased by her parents and younger brother, David.

A gathering and celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 14th, 2026 at the Church of the Transfiguration, 12219 S. 86th Avenue, Palos Park, IL 60464 beginning at 10:00am (lunch to follow in Palos Heights) where family and friends will remember Dolsa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a charitable donation to Barb’s Precious Rescue Saving Cats and Kittens (www.barbsrescue.org) or the National Association for Mental Illness (www.nami.org) to honor Dolsa.