Dolores "Dorie" Virginia (Sinclair) Olex

Dolores “Dorie” Virginia Sinclair Olex of Avonmore, PA passed away peacefully at Butler Memorial Hospital on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 93 years old, comforted by her loved ones.

She was born on Tuesday September 27, 1932 in Avonmore to Charles “Chuck” and Dorothy “Dot” Shirley Sinclair. She was of the Protestant Presbyterian faith. Dorie was a strong, independent woman who had a giving, loving, and compassionate spirit all her life, always thinking of others. As the oldest of seven children, Dorie was proud to help raise her brothers and sisters. She grew up in Avonmore, attended grade school and high school there, and graduated in the Class of 1950 with 18 students, which was the last class to graduate from Avonmore.

Like all other kids of that era, Dorie enjoyed playing games, Hide & Seek, and sled riding. In her words, “It was a fun time. We were never bored, as we were always busy.” Being a music-lover,,she played the violin in school, attending many school orchestra concerts. She was also on the girls’ basketball team and enjoyed traveling to games with her dad and friends. Country music, hymns, and the 50s music were her favorites. Dorie and her friend Mary Ann Spelock loved to listen and dance to polkas and waltzes on the radio on Sundays. After graduation, she worked several jobs: clerk, dishwasher, factory worker, and machine operator and quality control inspector for 33 years at Toyad Corporation in Latrobe, PA, retiring in 1986.

She met Edward “Ed” Olex, the love of her life, in 1949 when she was 16 years old at her Aunt Irma Shirley Novosel’s pool room in Tintown. He was her high school sweetheart, and she was his “Dol”. They married on July 16, 1954 in Winchester, VA and spent 54 happy years together until he passed away September 20th, 2008. After being married for 10 years, their life was complete when a beautiful little girl Sherri was born to them on July 23rd, 1963.

Dorie liked to cook, bake, and outdoor flower gardening. She would plant each Spring to enjoy the flowers all Summer. She belonged to the Avonmore Senior Citizen Center and the Loyalhanna Quilters Group in Saltsburg, PA. Loving to sew, she made many quilts for her daughter, grandkids, and other family members. She liked doing word search puzzles, was a die-hard Steelers fan, and was always in front of the TV come game time, when Tom Selleck from Blue Bloods was on, and every weekday for the Young and the Restless.

She is survived by her beloved, beautiful daughter Sherri Tupik from Springfield, VA and her precious twin grandchildren Jered “Jer” and Juselyn “Jewey” Tupik. As written by Dorie, these three were her pride and joy and the most important people in her life. She never tired of talking about them and dearly loved them. She was so proud of all their accomplishments, and they brought so much happiness to her. She is also survived by her most precious and cherished sister, Linda Pistininzi of Saltsburg, her sisters-in-law Mary Sinclair of Saltsburg and Victoria “Vicky” Sinclair of Loyalhanna Township, who were like sisters to her, and one estranged brother Richard Sinclair of Clarksburg. Proceeding her in death were three brothers: James “Bill” Sinclair and his wife, Beverly of Slickville, Thomas “Tom” Sinclair of Loyalhanna Township, and Donald “Butch” Sinclair of Saltsburg, one sister Phyllis “Tizzy” and husband Don Morgan of Avonmore, and nephew Richard “Dicky” Olex of Tintown. Also proceeding her in death were her mom and dad – Charles and Dorothy Sinclair, her grandparents – William and Edna Shirley and Tilden and Letitia Sinclair, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, and close friends who will dearly miss her.

Dorie wanted to add that she had a good life here on Earth. In her exact words “I had a great Mom and Dad, three brothers and two sisters that meant the world to me. I grew up and remained in Avonmore all these years in a little town I loved, and as Ed said ‘I’ll never get her to leave here.’ He was right, as I’ll be going to West View Cemetery about a mile from Avonmore as my final resting place beside the love of my life. I had wonderful grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors. A beautiful loving daughter, and two grandkids that I adored and was so proud of. Who could ask for more in life? I was happy. My happiest times were spent with family. I thanked God every day for all he has given me in my lifetime. Good health, happiness, a dear husband who loved me and treated me like I was special to him. My daughter and grandkids. I couldn’t have asked for more. Don’t grieve for me. I will now be with God and all those I love. I know this is not a regular obituary, but I wanted to end my life on a happy note by writing my thoughts myself.”

Family will receive friends at Corridoni Funeral Services, Inc., 400 Indiana Ave, Avonmore, PA. on Wednesday, January 28th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and a funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 29th at 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Shallenberger will officiate. Interment will be held at Westview Cemetery according to Dorie’s wishes to be with her beloved husband and family together forever in Avonmore.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions be made in Dorie's memory to Loyalhanna Quilting Guild, Po Box 21, Saltsburg, Pa. 15681 or Avonmore Senior Citizens Center, 458 Railroad Ave., Avonmore, Pa. 15618.

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