Dorothy L. (Kulesza) Kappauf

Dorothy L Kappauf, of Wilmington, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2026 in Wilmington, DE.

Dorothy was born August 27, 1933 in Wilmington, DE and was the 5th of 5 children born to Teofil and Apolonia Kulesza.

She had a long and distinguished career at Wilmington Trust where she was known as a go to person when something needed to get done.

She will be remembered for her deep love of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was known for helping others no matter what the need or cost.  She was a faithful catholic parishioner at St. Hedwig’s. She could often be found helping with or attending the annual Polish festival. A child of Polish immigrants, she spoke fluent Polish, which she would switch too, while talking to her older sister when she didn’t want us to know what she was saying.  

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, John F. Kappauf Sr.  She will be missed and remembered by her sons, John F Kappauf Jr (Jan), Lawrence Kappauf (Melinda); daughters, Dorothy Kappauf, Barbara Krooss and Bernadette Kappauf; her 12 grandchildren, Zach, Michelle, Laura, Kirsten, Kaleigh, Kori, Brittany, Emily, Kevin, Victoria, Craig and Ashley and her 13 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Dorothy on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 10AM at St. Hedwig’s Roman Catholic Church, 408 S. Harrison St., Wilmington, DE 19805. Interment will be private, but she will be placed at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery with her husband.

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