Delores D. (Drabold) Sweeney

Delores (nee Drabold) Sweeney, age 96, of Wanatah and Cedar Lake, IN, formerly of Highland, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on August 31, 2025, joining her beloved husband of 60 years, Edward Sweeney, Sr.

Delores is survived by her six loving children: Gail (late Clarke) Gholson, Mary (late Billy) Bishop, Edward (Claudia) Sweeney, Jr., Sharon (Fred) Austin, Jackie (Mark) Hedges, and Michelle Sweeney Stan. She was the proud grandmother of 18, great-grandmother of 44, and was anticipating the arrival of her first great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ann (George) Noonan, as well as many nieces and nephews – some who fondly called her “Aunt Lorie”, others “Aunt Delores” – and a wide circle of friends.

Delores never met a stranger and was instantly loved by all. She will be remembered most for the warm, joyful home she created with Ed, and the countless treasured memories she gave her family. Known as the ultimate “baby whisperer”, she delighted in holding and comforting little ones wherever she went, always ready with advice for new mothers.

She was a talented cook who made Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings look effortless. Her creative gifts shone through ceramics, cross stitch, flower arranging, crafts, and jigsaw puzzles. Delores loved traveling with her family, and her joy was evident as she cheered on grandchildren and great-grandchildren at band, school, and sporting events. She cherished Bunco afternoons with friends and her daughter, and in her later years took pride in hopping onto her son’s riding mower to cut the Wanatah farmland. To the delight of her family, she also became a devoted Blackhawks fan, often watching and attending games together.

Ed and Delores were charter members of Our Lady of Grace Church in Highland, where they were active parishioners. As her children grew, she worked in retail and later with the Calumet Press.

Born in Hammond, IN, in 1929 to Howard and Mary Drabold, Delores grew up just one block from where she and Ed would later build their family home. She graduated from Griffith High School in 1948, where she met her high school sweetheart, marrying him in 1950.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents, Howard and Mary Drabold; sisters. Mildred Keune, Dottie Pickett, and Norma Keune; and infant great-granddaughters, Samantha Paige VanHorssen and Erin Colleen Best.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life Open House on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 1-5 PM at Wicker Park Banquet Hall – 2215 Ridge Road, Highland, IN 46322.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Delores’ memory to St. Jude House or Riley Children’s Hospital.

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