Dolores Charlesworth

Dolores grew up in rural Waterman and was the eldest of five. She graduated as Valedictorian of Waterman High School in 1949 and went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Education.

While in high school, she met her future husband, Duane. They were married July 5, 1952 at Waterman United Methodist Church. The family moved to the Maryvale area of Phoenix in 1963 after Duane accepted a teaching position at Maryvale High School. Dolores was a homemaker and enjoyed being involved in her children’s numerous activities. She was a Little League scorekeeper, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader and Sunday School teacher. When her children were older, Dolores returned to teaching as a substitute in the Cartwright School District. Later on, she became a caseworker for Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest until her retirement in 1995.

Dolores and her family would often travel in their station wagon from Phoenix back to Illinois for summer vacations. Even after her children were grown, Dolores and Duane continued their road trips to visit family and friends. Highlights of their travels were an Alaskan cruise and a Lake Powell houseboat excursion for their 50th wedding anniversary. After Duane’s death, she continued to travel.

Dolores was an excellent cook and baker and her “cowboy cookies” were the specialty and a favorite of family and friends. Family dinners were mandatory and she would ring the cowbell to summon her children for dinner when they were playing outside with friends. She loved games with her family and sending random notes and cards to her family and friends. She loved church activities, thrifting, playing Bunco, participating in water aerobics and getting her hair done every Saturday.

Dolores enjoyed playing piano and singing with the church choir, serving also as junior choir director when her children were growing up. Her favorite hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “Beautiful Savior.” But she also enjoyed listening to and singing along to James Taylor, Elton John and Michael Jackson. She never missed an Arizona Diamondbacks or Phoenix Suns game if she could help it. Dolores always had a radio on in the background and would listen to talk radio, NPR, and her beloved sports teams. She was also fond of watching Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Downton Abbey and several PBS shows.

Dolores was full of joy and compassion. She was a Servant of the Lord and advocate for the disadvantaged; she had such a compassion for others that cannot be described in words. Her proudest accomplishment were her five children and all of her “grands.”

Dolores was a wife to Duane for 64 years and a mother to Greg (Debbie), Michael, David (Didi), Julie (Gil) Garcia, and Karen (Ed) Reed. She is survived by her children; eight grandchildren, Clifton and Kyle Charlesworth, Nathan Bradfield (Shawn Kringen), John (Annie) Good, Josh (Brenna) Good, and Katelyn, John, and Alec Garcia; 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Leah, Astasia, Kaiden, Kaycie, Nevaeh, Kylee, Trinity, Fiona, Daniel and Judah, and one great-great grandchild, Ashton; two brothers, Donald Moudy of Sandwich, IL and Richard Moudy of Sycamore, IL; brother-in-law James Hipple of DeKalb, IL and sister-in-law Jane Moudy as well as several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her dear friend Donovan Dalbey.

She was preceded in death by her husband Duane, her parents, sister Loretta Hipple, brother Robert Moudy, and sisters-in-law Bonnie and Sandy Moudy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1 at 11:00 A.M. with lunch to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6301 W. Indian School Road.

Donations in her honor may be made to Orphan Grain Train, 16670 W. Bajada Trail, Surprise AZ 85387, or St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she was a member for 59 years, secure in her faith in Jesus Christ.