Agnes Marie Dire

Agnes Marie Dire, 86, born on July 18, 1928, in Madison, Illinois, passed away August 26, 2014 . Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother.
She resided in Buena Park, California, at the time of her passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.
Agnes Marie Sobelewski was born July 18th, 1928 in Madison, Ill. to Polish imagrints, Victor and Angela Sobelewski, being one of the youngest of eight children. A two bedroom Craftsman style house, in a modest neighborhood, the backyard consisted of a garden, fruit trees, and a chicken coop. Her father owned the neighborhood grocery store and her mother was the housewife and business person of the family. Victor was always too generous at the store, giving away an extra slice of meat or cheese and free snacks at the nightly poker games, basically giving away the store, which lead to Angela closing it down. Agnes attended Catholic grade school and had many good stories about this time.
At age 12 her Older sister convinced her to move with her to the big city, Chicago. There, Agnes started working as a waitress at the famous restaurant, Tofanetty's. There, she would tell stories of all the servicemen coming in and leaving a dollar tip for a cup of coffee. One of the servicemen, a dark handsome Master Sargent named Edward Dire would come in. After a while they started dating. Later to be married. When Edward was Honorably discharged, after closing the Fort as Head account, after W.W.II, They bought a house In Niles, Ill. a suburb about 30 miles northwest of Chicago. There, Agnes was a housewife to her 2 children, Robert and Valorie. Living their entire lives in the Midwest, the family made 2 round trips to California. Finally after saying "I can't stand another cold winter" too many times, Ed, Agnes, Robert, Valorie and the two dogs hopped into the 57 Chevy and made the final trip to California in June of 1959.
After moving into an apartment for 3 months across from Hollywood Park Race track (ED loved the Ponies) and hearing the jets fly over every minute, they bought a house in the Bellhurst, Los Coyotes Country Club area of Buena Park.
At that time the family became members of St Philips Catholic Church.
On July 11th, 1960 Agnes gave birth to her 3rd child Bruce Elliot Dire.
Agnes was an excellent house wife and Mother, and liked to play golf and bridge. But after Bruce became of school age and
wanting to make her own spending money, she again started waitressing during lunch time at Howard Johnson's on Beach Blvd, so she was able to be home when the kids came home from school. She also waitressed at Arnold's Farm House and the Buttery of Buena Park and Stouffer's in Santa Ana.
She later attended College and received a Dietician Degree and started working as the head dieticians in a Convalescent home.
She loved to cook and everyone always looked forward the Sunday family dinners at home, even after they had moved out of the house.
Agnes was a member of the Y.L.I. Young Ladies Institute, St. Philips Women's Counsel, the Diamond Bar and La Mirada's Women's Golf Clubs.
Her love of golf lead her to become the Starter at the La Mirada Golf course for many years.
After the passing of her husband, Edward, Agnes took over and managed the families business affairs for many years and became very sharp at playing the stock market. She was quite the financial wizard.
Agnes also loved to travel, Touring the U.S., Europe, Egypt, Australia, and Alaska. Las Vegas was her second home, often staying at the condo for up to 10 days at a time and playing her favorite game, bingo. She was able to play 16 cards at once and was very lucky at winning Coveralls.
In her later years she developed Parkinson and Dementia and moved into the Coyote Hills Care for the Elderly, in Buena Park, and was given excellent care by Elizabeth and Daniel and the caring staff there.
She passed on August 26th, 2014. Agnes was a resident of Buena Park for 54 years.
She is survived by her Son, Robert Steven (64), Daughter Valorie Rose (61), and Son Bruce Elliot (54)
And Her grandchildren Andrew Dire, Desiree Garman, Gabrielle and Gregory Dire
She will be loved and missed by everyone. May God Rest her soul.