Dolores Hale

Dolores ‘Dee' Clair Hale , 85, entered into eternal peace on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in Centennial, Colorado.

Dolores was born on August 2, 1930 in Hamilton Ohio, daughter of the late John and Celia Baker. She was the youngest in a family that included four sisters and one brother. After graduating from high school, Dolores went on to earn her nursing degree. She began caregiving at a local hospital for several years during which time she met her future husband who was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. She married Richard Hale on August 21, 1954 and they eventually moved to Arlington, Texas and began a family of their own. Shortly after the birth of their third child, they moved to Colorado where she lived the remainder of her life.

A devoted mother, Dolores was a Girl Scout leader for years, helping the troop raise money for trips to Mexico and Europe. She supported her son's soccer teams, served as room-mother throughout the children's elementary school years, and directed the yearly school fund-raising carnivals. She was imaginative and creative: sewing matching doll and daughter pajamas, adorning classroom Christmas trees with intricately decorated gingerbread cookies, hand-painting clothing, catering weddings, designing her daughter's wedding cake, and creating beautiful sugar Easter eggs which she gave as gifts and donated to help local charities raise contributions. Dolores resumed her nursing career after raising her children and throughout retirement was active in volunteering as a passionate member of the Swedish Medical Center Auxiliary. She was instrumental in bringing a fund-raising American Girl fashion show and tea to Denver and actively participated in the founding of Swedish Hospital's "Assistance with Grief" program, supporting women and their families grieving pregnancy losses.

Dolores was a kind, gentle soul. She had a loving and generous heart and was always giving to others. Being a permanent communicant of the Catholic Church was an essential part of her life. An indomitable spirit was a special quality that carried her throughout life.

She leaves loving memories cherished by her husband, Richard, of 61 years, her daughters, Susanne and Linda, and son, Michael, along with four grandchildren: Jacob, Isabelle, Mackenzie, and Deanna, all of whom have richer lives for having known her.

There will be a Rosary held on Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 pm and a Mass held Wednesday September 30 at 10:00 am at All Souls Catholic Church, 4950 South Logan Street, Englewood, Colorado, 80113. Following the mass, a Committal Service with family members will occur at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Swedish Medical Center Auxiliary at 501 East Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO 80113, ATTN: Swedish Auxiliary, Phone: 303.788.6021, Email: info@swedishauxiliary.org.