Dolores Ann Vanderwarker

1925 - 2018

Vanderwarker, Dolores Ann
On Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 2:10pm at Hoag Presbyterian Hospital, Newport Beach, CA, Dolores Ann Vanderwarker (Murdoch), age 92 1/2 (DOB Oct. 7, 1925), of Costa Mesa, CA, passed away peacefully of natural causes to be with her Lord & Savior and her husband of 74 years Orrin Hugh Vanderwarker, Jr. (Vandy) who went before her on May 31, 2000. Dolores leaves behind 7 children: son, Orrin H. "Sonny" Vanderwarker III (Lis); daughters, Terri Beth Short (Keith), Nancy Jo Henry (Michael), Patrica Louise Young (Alan), Judith Ann Russell (Shannon), Jean Marie Shanley (Pat), and son Matthew Christopher (Kelly); 18 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.
You know the old saying, "If only I could write a book about my life"? Well, Dolores did just that, writing a 146 page story, "My Life: for Better or Worse", in March 2012.
Dolores Ann Murdoch was born in Coshocton, Ohio. Her parents, Donald Peter Murdock and Guida Marie Wolfe, raised her on their farm until May 1938. They moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. She attended Wausau Senior High School, graduating in 1943 with the love of her life, Vandy Vanderwarker. They married in February 1944.
Their lives were put on hold by WWII when Vandy joined the Navy, but moved quickly forward with a lot of travel, through at least 30 U.S. states, finally settling in Wausau, WI in 1955. However, California called and Dolores and Vandy answered, moving the family to Costa Mesa where they would spend the rest of their lives.
In 1955, Dolores started her career at Employers Mutual Insurance Company as an audit clerk until 1962. When they moved to California, Dolores spent almost 30 years as a homeowner's policy rater for All-State Insurance.
Love Never Dies and the Music Plays On, are some of the legacies that Dolores leaves with us that will enrich our lives as we remember Mom. Dolores was a truly gifted pianist. She recorded 5 CD's of her piano skills: "With Love Always, Mom", "With a Song in My Heart", "Tuesday Music Club", "Love Notes", and "Sounds of Christmas" choral project. We made the OC Register, on December 24, 2008 (See "A Family of Carolers"). Dolores attended many symphony concerts around Orange County, delighting especially in piano performances.
Dolores and Vandy loved to travel. Trips to Hawaii, Germany, Sweden, England were highlights. Many camping trips to Big Bear, Lake Hemet, summer outings with RV and boat to Lake Havasu, Las Vegas and Bullhead City, AZ. A trip to Coshocton in 2006 was an ace.
Dolores took pride in her homemaking talents. She was the holiday and birthday BAKING QUEEN as mountains of cookies and cakes arose from her oven. You could always count on Mom and Dad for momentous family get togethers: Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and 4th of July. At Christmas, she had 8 different Christmas trees, one for each kid and one for Dad. Easter baskets filled to overflowing and Easter egg hunts, with money eggs. She tirelessly gave of herself.
Dolores loved board and video games. She never missed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She kept informed on current events and the news of the day and would have rousing conversations with us.
A few adjectives help paint a picture of our Mom: Loving, Caring, Sharing, Determined, Creative, Crafting, Strong-willed, Extremely detail-oriented, Organized, Talented, Industrious, Persevering, Somehow, we Managed. Time spent with her I cherish as I often reflect
How wonderful she is - like her music - I will never forget.
"LOVE ALWAYS, MOM."
A small family oriented interment will be held at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Cemetery in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 13th at 9:45 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter, 770 The City Drive South, Suite 7400, Orange, CA 92868 in memory of Orrin H. Vanderwarker, Jr. Dolores' beloved husband in Dolores' honor.