Dolores Ann "Lar" Delgado

1950 - 2022

Dolores "Lar" Ann Delgado
December 25, 1950 - October 27, 2022
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Dolores "Lar" Ann Delgado, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed suddenly at the age of 71 on Thursday, October 27, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Dolores was born in Washington, D.C., to Boots Minneola Delgado (Locke) and Frank A. Delgado. She spent her early years in South Carolina and Georgia before her family moved to Southern California.
Dolores received her Bachelor's in English Literature with a minor in Spanish from California Western, and a Master's in Educational Administration from Point Loma Nazarene.
Dolores left a 34-year legacy in the Carlsbad Unified School District, starting like her mother did, as an ESL teacher. Her bilingual skill, love of language, and value for cultural diversity carried through all roles as English and Spanish teacher, counselor, and assistant principal at the high school, and into her district positions overseeing secondary education and curriculum and instruction, where she wrote and won over $4M in grants.
Though she never wanted to be in the spotlight, Dolores did not go unrecognized. She won the district's Teacher of the Year award (1983), was honored by the Association of California School Administrators for San Diego and Imperial counties (1999) and received the Carlsbad Unified School District Outstanding Leadership and Service Award (2000). Perhaps even more on brand for Dolores, however, was being the first female coach for a boys' team at the high school-- a seemingly small feat with a huge impact on all the students who wouldn't otherwise be able to play at the high school level, if not for Dolores.
Dolores touched so many with her unwavering support for the underserved, from underprivileged kids to fellow cancer survivors, and those with Alzheimer's. Sometimes, Dolores provided what you didn't even know you needed, like a dose of her own dry humor. The lasting impact of her love and advice, known as "the power of Dolores", will be felt for lifetimes to come.
In both family and community, Dolores provided a motherly sanctuary, offering assistance, encouragement, hope, and a safe harbor, sheltering all of her sisters at one point or another. The Delgado Flower Ranch was a formative backdrop for nieces, Chelsea and Emily, who were more like children and were lucky enough to grow up with a plethora of caring guardians.
Dolores met her husband of 40 years, Scott Wright, while both were building their epic careers in the Carlsbad school district. They were an unstoppable force, each in their own right, and known for their undeniable rhythm when together.
Outside of school, Dolores and Scott could be found camping in Baja, Mexico. Even when they retired and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, they continued to travel. The couple trekked all over the United States, always allotting extra time for Santa Fe to soak in the art, culture, and spirit.
Dolores continued her passions into retirement, volunteering, teaching Spanish, sewing, painting, and reading, creating community through it all.
Dolores is survived by her husband Scott Wright of Chapel Hill, NC, father Frank A. Delgado, sisters Rainy Delgado-Pelton (Jeff), and Linda Delgado (Doug), step-son Collin Wright (Kailey), niece and nephews Chelsea Tanaka (Adrian), Emily Tanaka-Delgado (TJ), Manzi Wilde (Graeme), Tony Pelton (Blair), Olivia Delgado-Pelton, Luci Pelton (Daoud), 5 grandsiblings and 1 grandchild, and beloved dog Javi.
Dolores is predeceased by her mother, Boots Minneola Delgado (Locke), and sister, Frances Claudia Delgado.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her name to North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Center or Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.
As an angel herself, Dolores is no longer bound by time and will live on in our hearts always.