Dolores Marie Rocha Wulff

1933 - 1979

On November 4, 1933 the world became a much brighter and more beautiful place when Dolores Marie Rocha was born in Woodland, CA, to Frank and Mamie (Souza) Rocha, Portuguese parents from the Azores and the island of Terceira. Welcomed by older brother, Ellard, their family grew throughout the years, as younger brothers, Frank and Mathew, came along.When she was a child, her family lived in Valley Ford, a small town along the coast, and then moved inland in 1941 to the George Gray ranch near Madison where Dolores attended Esparto Grade School. The Rochas settled at a ranch outside of Davis in 1948 where Dolores and her brothers grew up. She graduated from Davis Junior High in 1948 and Davis High School in 1952. Following that, she attended Sacramento Community College for two years, receiving her Associate of Arts.Dolores and Carl Wulff were married on June 4, 1955, at St. James Catholic Church in Davis, CA. Her pride and joy soon became her four children, Carl Mathew, Anna Marie, Thomas (Tom) Francis and Paul Louis - and as they will fondly tell you, "We were her life!" She adored them and devoted her days to being a wonderful mother in every way.Throughout her life, Dolores and her brothers, along with their Rocha double cousins, were a tight-knit family, and their passion for keeping Portuguese traditions alive was always at the center of their celebrations. Outsiders have often marveled at the closeness with which the family shared daily life and supported one another through thick and thin. Her brother, Mathew, recently shared in a tender moment that he loved clowning around with her and that she was his best friend! These priceless friendships were handed down through the generations and the younger cousins on all sides are closer than ever and seem more like siblings! Family gatherings have always been loud and lively and full of laughter...with great memories and endless stories!Dolores was extremely fun-loving and friendly, and always ready with a word of encouragement to those she knew...and to those she didn't know! She was the life of the party with a delightful sense of humor and her ever-present, radiant smile showed the joy within. She was a blessing to all, whether it was at Woodland High School where she worked as a secretary in the mid-late 70s, to running her Mary Kay business, to being involved in the community and at the Cabrillo Club, where she was serving as President at the time of her death. Generations have come to know her legacy and she's touched hearts and lives in ways that will never be forgotten.Over the decades, her legacy of family has grown stronger through the lives of her children. Carl worked for many years at Luhdorff and Scalmanini as a consulting engineer while raising Black Angus cattle through Wulff Brothers Livestock. Now living in Cheney, WA, Carl and his wife, Heidi, have four children, Charlie Wulff (Amanda) of Cheney, WA, with three daughters, Carly, Caylee and Claire; Gretchen Baer (Joey) of San Antonio, TX; Holly Johnson (Heath) of Colorado Springs, CO, with three daughters, Amelia, Ellie Mae and Fiona; and Chester Wulff (Katie) of Yuba City, CA.Anna Marie DeMott resides in Spring, TX, with her husband, Steve, and has managed cosmetic counters at Nordstrom and Macy's for many years. She has two daughters, Cortney and Nikki; a stepdaughter, Cindy; and four grandchildren, Makayla, Chelsea, Jason and Jesse.Tom has been in agriculture most of his life and currently lives in Manhattan, MT, with his wife, Sherry, and owns part of Van Dyke Angus Ranch. They have two daughters, Kasey Pera (Charles) with three children, Luca, Esmé and Marsali; and Lexie.Paul has worked diligently as a college football coach for years and is currently at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and lives in Pismo Beach with his wife, Sherry. They have three children, Katie Stokke (Jacob), Max and Sam.Dolores passed on July 31, 1979, and she has been dearly missed through the years, but certainly never forgotten. Our hearts have held fast to her memory in hopes of her story eventually being resolved. Miraculously, it was learned that she'd been lovingly placed in a cemetery in Benicia, CA, in the fall of 1979, unbeknownst to her family. Through a successful DNA match with her youngest, Paul, in October 2020, the family rejoiced at the discovery of where she'd been...and the waiting and wondering were finally over. Their mom would be coming home to Woodland where she belonged.Being "late" was one of Dolores' endearing qualities over time, but we believe God wasn't late in bringing her home, that it was in His perfect timing to orchestrate this in such a mighty way! Family, friends and communities in Northern CA have been so thankful through this amazing turn of events and celebrate God's hand in the final chapter of her story. For we truly believe that "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." ~ Psalm 30:5bAnd, now...the long-awaited "Celebration of Life" service to honor the memory of our precious Dolores will be held on July 17, 2021. "Welcome home, Dolores!"And we know that's exactly what Jesus said when He welcomed you into heaven 42 years ago. We will see you again, precious child of God!Our families are so grateful for the amazing love, countless prayers and endless support you've given to us through the decades! We're truly blessed!
W00155930-image-1.jpg