Dolores M. (Szymanowski) Cira

October 10, 1936 ~ December 23, 2020 (age 84)

Dolores M. Cira, residing in Granger, IN, passed away at 10:08 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Morningview Assisted Living in South Bend at the age of 84 years old.

She was born on October 10, 1936 in South Bend, a daughter of the late Joseph and Genevieve (Krol) Szymanowski, and has remained a lifelong resident of this community. She was a graduate of Washington High School and attended the Art Institute of Chicago.

On December 28, 1957 at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, South Bend, Dolores was united in marriage to James J. Cira, Jr.  She is survived by her husband, James, of 63 years, along with her three daughters, Karen (Mike) Simmons of Holland, MI; Chris (Carmen) Fabiilli of Hamilton, IN; and Jennifer (Kevin) Doney of Sturgis, MI; six grandchildren, Skyler (Amber) Simmons, Greg (Abi) Simmons, Dominic (Erin) Fabiilli, Marisa Fabiilli, Carter Doney, and Seth Doney, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Addison, Aubrey, Pyper, Sutton, Dillon, Diego, and Devyn Simmons. Dolores is also survived by her brother, Ronald (Diane) Szymanowski of South Bend.

Dolores was a loving wife, wonderful mother, and the best grandma anyone could ask for. She always made birthdays memorable by making a special birthday cake for everyone in the family. For more than 15 years, she worked beside her husband Jim in their restaurant, Jim Cira’s Char Broil House on Portage Avenue. She was a very talented seamstress and retired from Ellie’s Bridal Shop in South Bend. She was also a passionate painter and enjoyed polka dancing. She and Jim are members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in the spring of 2021. Palmer Funeral Home--Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family wishes to have memorial contributions honoring Dolores sent to Morningview Assisted Living, 475 N. Niles Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617; Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 West Edison Road #122, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or St. Joseph PACE, 250 East Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be left for the Cira family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

Obituary for Dolores M. Cira | Palmer Funeral Homes

Sources: Ancestry.com and Legacy.com

02/21/2026 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/dolores-cira-obituary?id=7897463