Obituary of Dolores "Dolly" Petra Hettrich

Dolores “Dolly” Petra Hettrich (nee Lupejkis) of East Haven, CT, formerly of Holland and East Aurora, NY died on Monday, July 23^rd, 2018 at age 87.

An East Aurora businesswoman, Mrs. Hettrich first owned Dolly House Antiques and then The Aurora Village Bookshop, which she successfully ran for many years. She was a voracious reader, a gifted gardener and an antique connoisseur.

Born in Buffalo, NY on Nov 3, 1930 as Delores Lupejkis, she was the wife of E. Daniel Hettrich. Due to Mr. Hettrich’s career in mechanical engineering, the couple moved eight times as their family grew to include nine children. In 1970, they returned to the Western New York area, living first in Holland and then in East Aurora for many years.

Mrs. Hettrich was a collector of art and her discerning taste and gift for decorating made each home they owned striking, her walls filled with paintings in every style and bookshelves crowded with hundreds of books. She also loved cooking and entertaining. Her 16’ dining room table was often surrounded by conversation and laughter while family and friends partook of her adventurous and mouthwatering meals.

Mrs. Hettrich’s bookshop was striking, too. The original store had a loft that she designed as a children’s reading space with a comfortable sofa. She made the space inviting so parents could read with their children. She later moved the shop to the front area of The Sample Shop. Her windows stopped people in their tracks as she expertly decorated them using antiques, plants, art & books.

She was a member of the East Aurora Garden Club and her own gardens over the years were lush and incredibly creative and beautiful.

Mrs. Hettrich was the loving mother of Dru Hites, Darcy, E. Daniel (Karen), David (Catherine), Dawn, Dena (Mark) Liberman, Devon (Steve) Cooper, Dale and Dirk; grandmother of 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; sister of Anastasia Lupe’ and Lindy Peteet and of the late Gerald Lupejkis; aunt to three nephews.

Mrs. Hettrich was the daughter of Lindy and Betty (nee Procyshyn) Lupejkis. She will be laid to rest in Beamsville, Ontario, where her heart has always resided.

  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 4 at 1:00p.m. at the Vineland Chapel of Tallman Funeral Homes, 3277 King St. Vineland, with reception to follow in the Fireside Room.