Maria Dolores Pastor Lado

Maria Dolores Lado died in Raleigh, North Carolina, on December 15, 2023, at the age of 88 years. She is survived by Fred Lado, her husband of 63 years, three children, and her grandchildren. She was known and loved as an energetic teacher, scholar, and writer, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a talented master of the kitchen.

She was born Maria Dolores Pastor Piñeiro on October 4, 1935 in El Ferrol, in Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Dolores grew up in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, living with her family first in El Ferrol and later in La Coruña, Spain. She graduated from the University of Madrid with a major in English and received a scholarship to attend graduate school at the University of Florida in 1958. There she studied American history and completed a Master’s thesis on Zora Neale Hurston. She subsequently completed a Ph.D. in Spanish literature with minors in French and Italian. Though she intended to return home after graduate school, she instead met and fell in love with Fred Lado and they were married in 1960. The first of their 3 children, Fred Alexander, was born in Gainesville, Florida. The couple later moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, following her husband Fred’s career as a physicist. It was there that their second and third children, Karen and David, were born.

Following her husband’s new employment in the Department of Physics at N.C. State University, Dolores moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1968 where she would settle permanently with her family. She joined the faculty of Saint Mary’s College in Raleigh, eventually chairing the department of foreign languages, and teaching courses in Spanish language and European history. After her retirement from St. Mary’s, she continued inspiring students through teaching part-time at NC State University for several more years.

Dolores had a keen mind; enjoying reading and writing fiction. She was an accomplished cook, mastering both the traditional dishes of her childhood in Spain and contemporary cuisine from many cultures. She loved the beach, especially the Outer Banks, sharing this love with her grandchildren. Through the example of their lives, Dolores and Fred taught their children the value of education and intellect and also love, devotion, family and kindness. From this marriage of mind and heart, her children would go on to careers in medicine and urban planning. She traveled back to Spain regularly to see family and passed along to her children and grandchildren her love of Spanish history and literature.

Her family is heartbroken. Fred lost his partner of 63 years and can barely recall life without Dolores. Her children and their families will miss her but her memory will live with them forever.

She is survived by her husband, Fred; children, Fred (Marianne), Karen, David (Faith); five grandchildren; brother, Jesus (Ana); and her beloved dog, Xana.

The celebration of life has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 2 pm. The celebration will take place in Smedes Hall at Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. The program, which will begin at 2:30 pm, will also be streamed on Zoom. To request a Zoom link, please Email [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Triangle Literacy Council in honor of Dolores’ love of literature and teaching.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.