Dolores A. Gleich

Dolores Ann Gleich left this world on January 2nd, to join her darling husband Bill in heaven. An amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she possessed a caring and thoughtful nature and delighted in showering love on her family. Whether making Barbie Doll cakes for her girls’ birthdays, sewing church outfits for her sons, coaching her children’s sports teams, volunteering as their school room mother, or boasting about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s achievements, Dolores made sure that those important to her felt loved and cherished.  

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Dolores or “Dee” to her friends was raised by her loving parents Eleanor and Harry Metzger, her accomplished grandmother Helen T. Howard, and her four formidable aunts (Mary Katherine, Margaret, Francis, and Agnes). With the financial aid of her beloved Uncle Jack, Dolores attended St. Joseph’s Academy and then received a vocal scholarship from Cincinnati’s St. Joseph’s College.  A classically trained soprano, Dolores made sure that her home was always filled with music and song. Her talent was so profound that while singing for her church choir, people that heard her often would request that she personally sing the Ava Maria for their wedding or loved one’s funeral. Dolores also was an incredibly talented athlete. An avid golfer and tennis player, she participated in one of the first women’s softball leagues in Columbus. It also must be mentioned that she was a tremendous Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati Reds fan. 

While her husband fought in Korea and then as they raised six children, Dolores worked for The Columbus Showcase, Lazarus Department Stores, and Consolidated Stores. In the 1950s, she also became a founding member of Christ the King parish. In her spare time, Dolores enjoyed solving difficult crossword puzzles, dancing at the Valley Dale, playing bridge, solitaire, and euchre, picnicking at Buckeye Lake, and going on  adventures with her best friend and husband of sixty-six years Bill. Her family was extremely lucky to have her for ninety-five wonderful years and will greatly miss her kindness, devotion, and love. Preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Gleich, mother Eleanor Metzger (nee Howard), father Harry Metzger, and brother Joey Metzger. Dolores is survived by her children Bill Gleich, Patricia Clemans (Craig), Jim Gleich (Angie), Gary Gleich, Jeanne Gleich-Anthony (Dave), and Deborah Gleich-Bope (John); grandchildren Jimmy Gleich (Sarah), Danny Gleich (Morgan), Chelsea Clemans-Birkholtz (Paul), Nate, Mark, Anthony, and Michael Bope; and great-grandchildren Jack, Kennedy, Charlotte, and William.  Friends may call Wednesday January 8 from 4-7 p.m.  at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 E. Broad St.  The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Thursday January 9th at Christ the King Church, 2777 E. Livingston Ave..  Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visit www.egan-ryan.com for condolences..

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