Dorothy Helen Rygiel

Dorothy Helen Rygiel (nee Smook), age 84, of Toms River passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Dorothy was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was one of three children born to Peter and Mary Smook. While growing up in Newark as a young girl, Dorothy’s parents encouraged her to take violin lessons.  She took to the violin quite well and was an active participant in the music programs while attending Westside High School in Newark.  Dorothy was also a member of the Newark All City Orchestra, something that she was very proud of throughout her life.

Following her graduation from Westside High School with the class of 1955, Dorothy married her sweetheart, Eugen Losowyj. The couple married on September 24, 1955 at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church on High Street in Newark.  Together, Dorothy and Eugen settled in Newark and started a family, raising their three children, Jerry, Peter, and Oxana.

After getting married, Dorothy decided to become a full-time homemaker.  She remained a homemaker for a couple of years, then Dorothy returned to the workforce accepting a position as a bank teller with the Bank of Commerce located in Newark.  Dorothy continued at Bank of Commerce (and other banks) for fifteen years when she decided to change careers and took a job as a Customer Service Representative with the Middlesex County Water Company located in Woodbridge.

Dorothy was employed by the Middlesex County Water Company until her retirement in 1999.  Dorothy was also the founder and president of the Ukrainian Women’s Association, Branch 32, which was one of the first English speaking branches of this international organization.  She also served as secretary for the Lions Head Woods Association.

Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Catholic Faith.  She and her family were parishioners of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church in Newark for many years, and also St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River.  At St. Stephen’s she was very active volunteering for the church and was also a member of the St. Stephen’s Altar Rosary Society.  She was an active volunteer with a hospice program often described as being passionately involved with her clients and going above and beyond for people in need.

Dorothy and Eugen cherished their nineteen years in a loving and loyal marriage until Eugen’s passing in 1974.  After losing Eugen, she met Frank Rygiel, a retired Army Air Corps Colonel, at a local church function and as fate would have it, they fell in love. The two became husband and wife in November of 1991.  Dorothy and Frank treasured thirteen of their golden years together until Frank’s passing in 2004.

Dorothy truly enjoyed entertaining at her home where she always had an overabundance of food for her guests.  Holidays were always something that Dorothy looked forward to hosting.  While raising her children, Dorothy and her family enjoyed camping in various areas of the United States and Canada.  She also treasured traveling with her husband Frank to Germany and other locations in Europe and the US commemorating and honoring World War II Veterans.  Above all of Dorothy’s interests, hobbies and talents, her greatest passion was her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to her than spending time with her family.  Dorothy was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her.  She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends alike.

Dorothy is survived by her loving children Jerry Losowyj and his wife Kathleen O’Brien, Peter Losowyj and his wife Tina, and Oxana Losowyj and her fiancé Paul Mahon. Her 9 grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Michael, Vanessa, Eddie, Andrew, Ryan, Madison and Nicholas.  Her 5 great grandchildren, Cascius, Mila, Laurel, Cassanova, and Sunny. Her sister Lesia Chanley and her husband Benjamin and her brother Peter Smook and his wife Joan.  She was predeceased by her first husband Eugen Losowyj in 1974 and her second husband Frank Rygiel in 2004.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.  http://www.parkinson.org