Mrs. Mary A. Dolbow

Mary Aiken Dolbow, 72, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on June 23, 2021, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family at home in Beaverdam, VA. Raised in Kennett Square, PA, and a longtime resident of Penns Grove, NJ, Becky resided in Beaverdam for nearly the past decade. Mary Rebecca Aiken Dolbow was born to Jim and Theresa (Broeders) Aiken on November 30, 1948, in Lewes, Delaware. A 1966 graduate of Kennett High School, Becky graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in business on June 7, 1970. Thirteen days later, she married Jacob F. Dolbow III at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kennett Square. Family was most important to Becky. She loved her siblings dearly. The annual post-Christmas prime rib dinner at her brother Jim’s became the highlight of her social calendar. While proudly raising three sons in Penns Grove, Becky routinely took them swimming at the Salem County Sportsmen Club and never missed a Little League game. When they attended Penns Grove High School, Becky cheered on her three Honor Society members as they competed in track and cross-country. Though she would selflessly allow others to drive, Becky immensely enjoyed going to Skyline Drive with her husband and on family vacations to Rehoboth Beach, DE; Gettysburg, PA; Cooperstown, NY; Williamsburg, VA; and Washington, DC. She deserves special recognition for being one of the few mothers not to throw out her sons’ baseball card collections. Plus, she relished attending performances directed by Tom Mason at Oakwood Summer Theatre. Becky always thought of herself last. Like clockwork, before each birthday and Christmas she sent her sons an email stating that she did not want them to waste money on gifts because their 24/7 love and support was a year-round gift. She tracked online all of her sons’ commercial flights and asked they check in upon safe arrival home. As a Navy Reserve spouse and Coast Guard mom, she was a strong supporter of all men and women in uniform. As sole proprietor of “Mom’s Kitchen,” Becky only needed 45 minutes warning to prepare a homecooked meal for a loved one traveling past Exit 110 on I-95 or visiting for the weekend, or for family friend Leon. Popular menu items included spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried egg breakfast sandwiches. Her chicken and rice soup, tuna fish, chicken salad, and deviled eggs were so tasty that rarely did her sons eat them elsewhere. She continued the tradition of serving Madeline C. Dolbow’s delicious Thanksgiving turkey stuffing, a family recipe passed down for over a century. Her children and grandchildren will surely miss these home-cooked meals, plus folded laundry and pressed dress shirts. Though intensely private, Becky lived to be with and text/talk/email her entire family. In her spare time, Becky completed crossword and soduku puzzles, read her Kindle, tried new recipes, engaged in virtual storm tracking, watched M*A*S*H, NCIS, Dallas, iCarly, the latter with Alexis, Phillies baseball, and The Sound of Music. Becky was especially skilled in conducting extensive internet research, so much so that her family bestowed upon her the title of “Research Queen.” She also served as the family archivist and curator. Becky was preceded in death by her husband Jake of 33 years; her parents; a brother, Pete Aiken; and her in-laws, Jacob F. Dolbow Jr. and Madeline C. Dolbow; plus aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will be greatly missed by her three sons, Jim (Jennifer) of Alexandria, VA; Bill of Beaverdam, VA.; and Bob of Pinellas Park, FL; grandchildren Alexis Cheyann Dolbow, D.J. Dolbow, Dalvin Young, and Eileen Rose Giglio Dolbow; great-grandchildren Junior Dolbow, Jackie Dolbow, and Maria Dolbow; siblings Peggy Slaughter (Carl), Jim Aiken (Carol), and Joan Przywara (Pat); sister-in-law Sue Aiken; nieces/nephews Karla McKechnie, Dr. Beth Aiken, Jim Aiken, Phil Aiken, Rachel Woolcock, Erica Reed, and Rebecca Della Volpe; several grandnieces and grandnephews; an aunt, Mary Broeders Groome; and many cousins. A lover of animals, Becky will also be missed by her nanday conure parrot Gonzo, a faithful, squawky, and devoted companion of 17 ½ years; “granddogs” Colonel Ellis, Rayburn, and Jazmine; and “grandhorses” Rocker and Snoopy. She was greeted at The Rainbow Bridge by many family pets led by Dolbow Dogs Ginger, Teddy, and Mounty. The Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Thursday July 1, 2021in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Thursday morning after 10 AM until service time. Becky will be interred in a family plot at Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, NJ. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Becky’s memory may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church’s Food Pantry Program, 18580 Partlow Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015; Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1357, Orange VA 22960; or a preferred animal rescue group or local food bank. The family would like to thank Pastor Chris Watson, Msgr. John Cregan, Fr. Mick Kelley, Chaplain Bob, Reverend Vincent W. Patton III, and Mrs. Anne Ryun for their spiritual support and guidance to Becky and her family during her peaceful transition. A special thanks goes to the caregivers at Mary Washington Hospice and Home Touch Home Care LLC and Bliley’s Funeral Home, Richmond, VA for the comfort and support they provided the family during this time of supreme sorrow. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.

Mrs. Mary A. Dolbow

November 30, 1948 - June 23, 2021