Dolores Pearl Biebuyck, humble Catholic servant, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2017 following a valiant battle against dementia. She was 87.

Dolores was born April 28, 1930 in Detroit Michigan, the second of Joseph and Magdalena DeWalls’ 10 children.

She grew up in the Belgian neighborhoods of Detroit’s north-east side and it was there she met and married William “Bill” Biebuyck in 1949.

After the births of their first six children, Dolores and Bill moved the family to Oxford, Michigan in 1963 where they set up camp on the shores of Fish Lake.

There they welcomed three more children and spent the next 47 years hosting family, friends, and strangers for countless gatherings at the Lake.

When the challenge of raising her own nine children proved not to be enough, she opened a daycare in her home and raised even more of Oxford’s youngest citizens.

A stern disciplinarian with a Midas touch for all things children, Dolores excelled at preparing young people for the difficult challenges of life.

The vast and varied successes of her many charges serve as testament to her wisdom, care and grace.

A woman of strong faith, Dolores often volunteered at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and grade school. She also worked for the Dominican Sisters of Oxford.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but her memory will long be carried on as she is survived by her loving children: Rebecca (Mark) Cook, William Biebuyck, Mark Biebuyck, Bruce (Lela) Biebuyck, Bonnie (Mark) Matus, Brian (Robin) Biebuyck, Burt (Lisa) Biebuyck, Dolores (Mike) Couch and Brenda (Tim) Bowes; 24 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). She is also survived by four of her siblings: Anthony DeWalls, Clementine Roberts, Martin DeWalls, and Mary Rose Corser.

A Funeral Mass took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion on June 9.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association: Help End Alzheimer’s.