People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Dobronski, Agnes Marie. Age 88. Lifelong Dearborn resident who joined her late husband Jim Cichocki in the afterlife on December 27, 2013. Born in 1925, Agnes was a dedicated public servant and activist throughout her years in Dearborn. She spent 37 years working for the Dearborn Public School System, starting as a secretary for the Salina school principal and ending up as the Business Manager for the Dearborn Schools at a time when women weren't allowed to wear slacks at work, much less run the finances and operations of a major school district. While working, she earned her bachelors and masters degrees at night school and went on to teach at Eastern Michigan University. Over those years, Agnes made countless loyal friends who remember her good humor, strong work ethic and no-nonsense approach to life. From afar, Agnes may have appeared to have a tough exterior, but to those who knew and loved her, there was no one more generous, thoughtful or kind hearted. Agnes spent a lifetime in service to people and communities of importance to her. When her father died at a young age, Agnes became the head of their household and supported and took care of her mother for many years. With a strong sense of public service and love for Dearborn, Agnes successfully ran for elected office, serving first on the Dearborn School Board (1980 - 1986) and then in the Michigan House of Representatives (1987-1988 and 1991-1998). She also fought for retired school personnel at the Retirement Coordinating Council (1980-1986). As a legislator, Agnes was a strong advocate for senior citizens, public education and women's rights. She remained active in local politics until the end, lending her support time and energy to state and local candidates who shared her passion for good government whenever an opportunity presented itself. Agnes had a wide circle of friends and kept in correspondence with scores of people over many years, and her typewritten notes will be sorely missed. In later years, she lived at Henry Ford Village retirement community, where she was active in many ways, including serving on the resident council and as President of their League of Women Voters chapter. Visitation Sunday 4:00-9:00 pm and Monday 1:00-9:00 pm Howe-Peterson Dearborn Chapel, 22546 Michigan Avenue. Funeral service Tuesday 11:00 am; 10:00 am gathering Henry Ford Village Chapel, 15101 Ford Road, Dearborn.