Dolores Jean Badar (née Solinski)

February 14, 1934 – September 18, 2025
Rocky River, Ohio

With deep love and enduring gratitude, the family of Dolores Jean Badar announces her peaceful passing on September 18, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born on Valentine's Day in 1934, Dolores brought warmth, generosity, and grace into every space she occupied. A lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, she was the beloved wife of the late Lawrence J. Badar, with whom she shared 54 devoted years of marriage. Together, they raised six children in a home filled with music, faith, lively conversation, and the delicious aromas of her legendary Polish cooking.

Dolores's greatest joy—and most cherished role—was that of mother. She took immense pride in raising her six children: Terry, Alan (Debra Gorman-Badar), Diane, Jeanmarie Badar (widow of Steve Bantz and Jim Kauffman), Tim (Lauri), and Michael (Karin Silk). Her legacy lives on in her eight grandchildren—Elizabeth Walker (Dylan), Michael Badar, Jeanette Cundiff (Austin), Jonathan Gunter, Elliot (Katie), Allison, Tommy, and John—and her three great-grandchildren.

She was the loving sister of Ronald Solinski (deceased, married to Benita), and the cherished daughter of Frank and Jean Solinski. As a young girl, Dolores spoke only Polish at home, a connection to heritage she kept alive throughout her life—passing down language, food, and traditions to her children and grandchildren.

A graduate of Marymount High School (now Trinity), Dolores earned her bachelor's degree in Dietetics from Ursuline College. When her children grew older, she pursued a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University and a career as a Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist, serving underserved neighborhoods across Greater Cleveland with compassion and professionalism.

Faith was the bedrock of Dolores's life. A longtime parishioner of St. Christopher Church in Rocky River, she served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and member of the Social Justice Committee. As a committed supporter of the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland and RESULTS (a nonprofit focused on ending poverty worldwide), she remained actively engaged in this outreach work throughout her life. Deepening her spiritual journey in her later years She was proud to become an Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Those who knew Dolores will remember her warmth, intellect, and moral clarity. She was a reader, thinker, listener, and seeker of justice. She loved singing, playing piano, solving word puzzles, praying the Rosary, and bringing people together over a plate of homemade pierogi, gołąbki, chicken paprikash, and the sweet treats that became family staples—paczki, lady locks, sweet bread, and chruściki.

Dolores fostered friendships that spanned decades, including the cherished "Polish Friends"—a group of eight couples who had been friends since childhood—and another beloved circle from St. Christopher Church. Their gatherings were filled with laughter, lively debates, and joy, stretching late into the night and leaving lasting impressions on all her children.

Above all, Dolores was proud of her children and the lives they have built. She once said that her most important job was being a mom—and she loved it. Her hands were always busy, her table always full, and her heart always open.

She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

Visitation & Services

Family and friends are asked to meet at St. Christopher Church , 20141 Detroit Rd., Rocky River, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 , for VISITATION from 10:00-11:00 AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.
Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Avon.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland or RESULTS , in honor of Dolores's lifelong commitment to social justice and compassion.