Dolores Buczek Besche

“Cofounder of Besche Furniture, Inc.”

Dolores Buczek Besche of Georgetown peacefully passed away the morning of December 1st, 2024, at the age of 97. She was born on October 23rd, 1927, to parents Joseph and Rose Buczek in Baltimore Maryland. Dolores was fondly known as Mom, Nanny, Dee and “Mrs. B”. The only child of parents born to Polish immigrants, she would often recount stories of growing up in the row house at 509 Durham Street in Baltimore City. The house was filled with family who all shared a dedicated work ethic and a deep faith in God. Her parents worked long hours at Baltimore canning factories to enroll Dolores in the Catholic school system. She graduated from Catholic High in 1945, and began work as a secretary at Baugh Chemical Company. On a weekend getaway to Ocean City Maryland in the summer of 1949, Dolores met Richard Besche, whose opening line was “You’re the prettiest woman in Ocean City!” Richard was a Baltimore businessman at Four Besche Bros. Furniture store. Dolores often joked about being a Polish lady dating a gentleman of German descent, an unusual mix in those days. Their families saw they were deeply in love, and more importantly- they were both Catholic! They were married on January 6, 1951, and had 5 children.

In 1962 Dolores and Richard made an ambitious move to the eastern shore of Maryland and later to Sussex County Delaware. While raising a family they were also building up Besche Furniture Inc., which is still owned and operated by the 4th generation today. Dolores worked tirelessly to manage the bookkeeping, inventory, and even move boxes in the warehouse!

Dolores is remembered for her joy, her laughter, and her devotion to her family. She was a great listener. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law and friend to many. Dolores could find joy in all aspects of life, but she especially loved gardening, playing piano, singing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, writing in her journals and rooting for the Baltimore Ravens. She was a member of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Pocahontas, the Milton Garden Club, “Snazzy-Dazzy” Red Hatters, Georgetown Cheer Center Joyful Notes Choir and “SLICE” exercise group, Columbiettes and Georgetown Historical Society. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Robin Hood Thrift Shop. Dolores was an active member of St. Michaels Parish and was honored for her years of service to the church by Bishop Angelo Salterelli in Wilmington.

Dolores is pre-deceased by parents Rose and Joseph Buczek, husband of 46 years Richard Besche, son James Besche, and daughter-in-law Wendy Besche. She is survived by her children Thomas Besche, Michael Besche, Christine Besche (Charles Young) and Cindy (Richard) Ockels; by grandchildren Annie (Bo) Richardson, Sara Besche, Virginia (Mark) Walczak, John Besche, Colleen Besche, Mikayla Ockels and Benjamin Ockels; and by great-grandchildren Brenn Martin, Koby (Courtney) Martin, Kaden Lancaster, Chad Richardson, Poppy Walczak and Goldie Walczak.

Visitation for Dolores will be held at St. Michael the Archangel, 202 Edward St. Georgetown, DE, 19947, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:00am followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Georgetown Cheer Center, 20520 Sandhill Road, Georgetown, DE 19947 or at cheerde.com. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.