Obituary: Withers, Dolores Marie
A long-time resident of the Conejo Valley, Dolores is survived by her sister, Marilyn Longson of Burnsville, MN, her four adult children, Rhonda Wright of Boise, ID, Bruce Withers of Orinda, CA, Wende Kroger of Templeton, CA, and Statia Foresti of Oak Park, CA; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Dolores was born in Redfield, South Dakota on February 7, 1936, the third of five children of Olga and Wendelin Bosch.
Her family moved to Spokane when she was two years old.
Dolores graduated from Holly Names Academy in 1954 and continued her education at Holly Names College where she developed a lifelong passion for teaching and earned a BA degree on May 24, 1958.
That September Dolores married Robert John Withers, a U.S. Marine she met while working at a laundry business in Spokane.
During their marriage, they lived in Spokane WA, Tacoma WA, Farmington Hills MI, Woodland Hills, CA, finally settling in Agoura/Oak Park, CA in 1968.
Dolores taught third grade at El Descanso Elementary School in Camarillo for 23 years until her retirement in 1980.
One of her greatest joys was to teach the children of former students and ‘Mrs.
Withers’ was frequently recognized and remembered by many of her previous students as she continued to live an active life in the Conejo Valley.
After her retirement, Dolores enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, bunco and bridge.
She served as a volunteer docent and Board Member at the Stagecoach Museum in Newbury Park, CA and for many years was an active member of the Ventura County/West Valley Chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO); a non-profit organization working to improve the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, donors and their families.
Dolores became active in TRIO after receiving a trans- planted kidney that was donated by her sister Marilyn 19 years ago.
Dolores also contributed to her retirement community, Vallecito by distributing the newsletter and leading social activities.
Dolores remained an advocate for numerous local charitable and civic causes and was always willing to support her community.
Dolores has left our presence, but in no way has she left our hearts.
She will be forever remembered by all whose lives she touched for her warm smile, encouraging words, quiet strength, sense of humor, uplifting spirit, generosity and unconditional love of family and friends.
A celebration of Dolores’ life will be held at 10 AM on Friday, April 12th at St. Julie Billiart Church, 2475 Borchard Rd, Newbury Park, CA.
An informal reception will follow the service.
A memorial website where family and friends can share stories, thoughts and photos can be found at http://dolores.withers.muchloved.com.
In lieu of flowers or other expressions of condolences the family requests donations be made to TRIO at http://www.trioweb.org.