Dolores Buczek Besche, Besche Furniture co-founder
Dolores Buczek Besche, 97, of Georgetown, peacefully passed away the morning of Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. She was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Baltimore, Md., to parents Joseph and Rose Buczek. 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, Md., 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, both were Catholic! They were married Jan. 6, 1951, and had five children.
In 1962, Dolores and Richard made an ambitious move to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and later to Sussex County. While raising a family, they were also building up Besche Furniture Inc., which is still owned and operated by the fourth generation today. Dolores worked tirelessly to manage the bookkeeping, inventory, and even move boxes in the warehouse!
Dolores is remembered for her joy, laughter, and 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 Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Pocahontas, Milton Garden Club, “Snazzy-Dazzy” Red Hatters, Georgetown CHEER Center, Joyful Notes Choir, 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. Michael’s Parish and was honored for her years of service to the church by Bishop Angelo Saltarelli in Wilmington.
Dolores is predeceased by her 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; grandchildren, Annie (Bo) Richardson, Sara Besche, Virginia (Mark) Walczak, John Besche, Colleen Besche, Mikayla Ockels and Benjamin Ockels; and great-grandchildren, Brenn Martin, Koby (Courtney) Martin, Kaden Lancaster, Chad Richardson, Poppy Walczak and Goldie Walczak.
Visitation for Dolores will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at St. Michael the Archangel, 202 Edward St., Georgetown, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Georgetown CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown, DE 19947, cheerde.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.
