Dolores was born in 1933 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and when she was 10 years old, she moved to Vancouver with her mother, who she was always very close to. When Dolores was around 16 years old, her younger sister Carol was born (who affectionately called her “DD”). After high school and In her early twenties, Dolores worked as a teletype operator and then later worked for CN.
In 1959, she got married to Alonzo Saunders (or “Lon” as she and close friends and family called him) and they loved each other dearly. They bought a house in Burnaby, but after a couple of years, moved to Port Coquitlam where they stayed for over 45 years. By the mid 1970’s, they had a very busy household with two sons, Ron and Glenn and a bit later, a daughter, Elaine. They were very involved parents and loved watching their kids play hockey, going to dance/ballet, swimming, and baseball. In the mid 1970’s and throughout 1980’s, they loved listening to Ron and Glenn’s resident rock band and chatted with all their kids’ friends as they came in and out of the house. Being immersed in hockey and loving every minute of it, Dolores also enjoyed spending time with Elaine and being involved in her various sports, youth activities, road trips and shenanigans over the years.
Dolores always loved animals and had many “kids with fur” over the years. She was an active and passionate volunteer at the SPCA at various times throughout her life including up to four years ago, when she adopted her cat “Ian”, after nursing him back to full health.
Music was another love of her life and one she shared and instilled in all her kids. She loved playing the piano and played oldies favourites, gospel, and classical music, but loved all kinds of music, including rock. She also played the accordion, guitar, and banjo.
As a young girl, she always dreamed of being a nurse and although life took her in other directions, she got the opportunity to help people in ways that she could never have imagined, including volunteer and paid positions to play the piano at Riverview and Valleyview Hospital church services. She was amazingly dedicated to her work and was there for over 30 years until she was in her late 70’s. Dolores had many other interests and hobbies, including baking (pies, cookies, you name it) and loved making treats for her family and friends.
Throughout her entire life, Dolores had an amazingly strong belief in God, which gave her strength throughout the years. She was at her happiest when she got to teach Sunday School to the 3-5 year-olds. It is also how she met Lois, her best friend for over 40 years. Together, they took vigorous daily walks around PoCo and would chat about God, life and everything in between.
Predeceased by her husband Lon, Dolores is survived by her sons, Ron (Marion), Glenn and her daughter Elaine (Nathan), sister Carol and grandchildren, Brennan and Tyler. Family meant everything to Dolores and she loved just hanging out with those she loved.
Dolores was always willing to lending a helping hand and always looked for people who needed a kind word or encouraging smile. She touched many lives and leaves behind cherished memories as a wife, mother, sister, grandma, and friend. She had a kind, gentle nature but also loved to laugh, have fun and was up for any adventure (no matter how ill advised). The love she had for her family will be greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers and for those who wish, donations can made to Alzheimer Society of British Columbia (that includes the First Link® Dementia Helpline that was an amazing support to the family) as well as the BC SPCA Maple Ridge, where Dolores was an active and passionate volunteer. (Donation Links below)
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6