Dolores Julia Metzger

On April 2, 2026, Dolores Julia Metzger passed away surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of the late Frederick Metzger; devoted mother of Darlene Warren (Craig), and Donna Metzger; cherished grandmother of Angel Pratt (Don Mizzoni), Julia Imrick (Mike), Jarrod Taylor (Julie), Ashley Warren (Robert Grubb), Brett Messick (Michelle), Chad Messick, and Shane Messick; doting great-grandmother of Morgan Beddis, Sierra Campbell, Brooke, Paige, Kelsey, Reese, Luke, and Grant Taylor, and Malaek Barnes; dear sister of the late Miriam Walter, the late Jackie Wilson, and the late Bud Thompson. Also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.

Friends may call at the family-owned Bruzdzinski Funeral Home P.A., 1407 Old Eastern Avenue, Essex, Maryland 21221, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 3 to 7 PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 12 PM. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Legion, Dundalk Post 38, 3300 Dundalk Avenue, Dundalk, Maryland 21222.

Born on April 14, 1927, Dolores spent her childhood in Rosedale. In her 20's, she was a Telephone Operator for C&P. Dolores married Arnold Metzger on Thanksgiving Day in 1953. They purchased the very first row home in the Middlesex development in Essex. She lived in that home for 73 years.

The most important thing to Dolores was her family. She loved being a mother. She was a wonderful mother to her daughters, Darlene and Donna. When her daughters were 10 and 14, they drove to Roanoke, Virginia so they could attend an Osmond concert. This was during Hurricane Agnes in the early 70's. Her husband was determined his daughters would meet Donny Osmond, who was the most popular singer around at that time.

Not only did they meet the entire Osmond family, they became friends and went on tour with them for the next 7 years. It was an exciting time, seeing what goes on behind the stage as well as on the stage. She may or may not be responsible for a couple of riots when fans thought she was Mrs. Osmond. A true love and appreciation for music grew over the years and stayed with Dolores for the rest of her life.

Most days, WCAO was played on the radio and there was a stack of Elvis records on the record player. The Metzgers met Ronnie McDowell in 1978 and Ronnie Dove in 1987. She remained close friends with both gentlemen for the rest of her life. She was thrilled to meet her childhood idol, Ray Price, as well as Brenda Lee, Ray Petersen, Tom Jones, Johnny Tillotson, Rick Nelson, who she met in 1978 in Las Vegas and Rick's twins, Matthew and Gunnar 30 years later.

Some of her most enjoyable moments were spent attending various shows at the Rosedale American Legion and then the Dundalk American Legion Post 38, where we have a birthday show for her this Sunday. She loved supporting the Veterans. Her love for people and her never ending smile and laughter brought so many people to her. She was well loved and admired by so many for her humor, her positivity, her ability to be a good listener and her zest for life. Her mottos were: When in Doubt, Don't, and Be Good to Yourself.

Mom loved casinos, the Orioles, the Colts; some of whom came to parties at her home in her club basement, the Ravens, but most of all, her family. She leaves us with an optimistic outlook on everything and a legacy of love.

Let’s be more like Dolores and leave a little sparkle wherever we go.