Dorothy Heintz Nowicki

Dorothy Frances Heintz Nowicki, age 79, of Brenham, entered through the golden gates of heaven, greeted by her “little precious” grandson, Adam Christian, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Dorothy fought a very courageous battle with a myeloproliferative blood disease for the past six years.

She was born on February 26, 1931 in Brenham to William J. and Mary Gertrude Kenjura Nowicki. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Brenham and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Schools. On September 10, 1949 she married Albert “Sleepy” Heintz to which three children were born.

Dorothy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Brenham and the Sons of Hermann Lodge. She worked for St. Jude Hospital and Trinity Medical Center of Brenham, in housekeeping, for numerous years. She worked for Blinn College, Food Service Department, in Brenham for 13 years and retired May 31, 2002.

Dorothy is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Tim Culliver of Brenham and Audrey and Tommy Murray of College Station; son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Deidra Heintz of Cypress; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Shirley Nowicki of Brenham; brother-in-law, James Gibson of Brenham; her heartfelt companion, Otto Heidemann of Brenham; two granddaughters, Macey Murray of Bryan and Megan Heintz of Denton; two grandsons, Andrew Culliver of Brenham and Forrest Heintz and wife Amanda of Cypress; one great-grandson, Hunter Heintz of Cypress; niece, Rhonda Stephens and husband Mike; nephew, Michael Nowicki and wife Andrea. Dorothy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews from the Heintz family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Josephine Hughey and Florence Gibson; brothers, Clement Nowicki and Daniel Nowicki; and grandson, Adam Christian Culliver.

Dorothy never met a stranger. She was an avid lover of gardening and could bring any flower to life. She loved flowers, God’s creations on earth, and serving others. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Dorothy taught each one of us a lesson in life during her courageous battle these past six years. During her final days she continued to display her smile, laughter, faith, love for life, but most of all her sense of humor.

The family extends their thanks to her beautician and daughter-in-heart, Kimberly McGinley; doctors, Dr. Kennon D. Wigley and Dr. Raj Cheruku; Hospice Brazos Valley; Hospice Nurses, Judy Werth, Deb Ford, Susan Anderson and JoAnn Jones; and her daily Nurse's Aide, Felisha Smith, who made her feel special up to her last day.

Visitation is from 5-7 pm with Rosary at 7 pm, Friday, March 19, 2010 in the Brenham Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 10 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Brenham with Rev David Ivy officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Tommy Murray, Forrest Heintz, Michael Nowicki, Mike Stephens, Paul Culliver, Tyler Culliver, Charles Dierking, and Angel Vasquez. Honorary pallbearers are Tim Culliver, Andrew Culliver and Blinn College Food Service Employees.

Memorials may be directed to Adam’s Angels Ministry, P. O. Box 2573, Brenham, Texas 77834-2573, a ministry serving childhood cancer families founded in memory of her grandson, Adam Christian Culliver (website: www.AdamsAngelsMinistry.org).

Services are in care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer, Brenham. Online tributes to the family may be left at www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com