Dolores Gidley

Dolores Gidley

June 21, 1921 ~ November 25, 2021

Dolores Gidley, 100, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, in the arms of her daughter, Kay.

Born in Mt. Angel, Oregon on June 21, 1921 to Joseph and Elizabeth Sprauer, Dolores was raised on a farm with her six sisters and three brothers.

At age 20 her parents sent her to San Diego to help a sister with her newborn baby. After Pearl Harbor was attacked Dolores went to work at Consolidated Aircraft building B-24 bombers and Catalina flying boats. While in San Diego, Dolores met and married Glen Gidley. They moved to Ogden where they raised 7 children. They later divorced.

Dolores was a wonderful gardener and a master seamstress making many clothes, blankets and quilts for family and friends. She started working in school kitchens to be close to her youngest children, as they grew she worked at the Bon Marche’s restaurant. When the Bon closed its door she went to work at St. Benedict’s Hospital. Then came a well-deserved retirement that she spent freely with family. Dolores was a great cook and baker. Her bread, cinnamon rolls and pies are legendary!

Her legacy grew to include 18 grand children, 28 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She traveled to be close to them. As she got older and travelled less she maintained contact with cards, letters and calls. She could talk on the phone for hours!

Dolores is survived by sons Dave (Diane) Gidley, Jim Gidley, Bill (Lisa) Gidley, and daughter Kay (Rich) Gidley-Heil. She was preceded in death by her parents, all nine of her siblings, her son Mike, her daughters Susan Kruhm and Patty Swindell, and her grandchildren Matt Kruhm, Cody Swindell, and Britney Holstien.

Dolores lived a great life. She taught us how to deal with and overcome challenges, be patient, sacrifice, forgive, be generous, to keep confidences and to love all in spite of our differences. She was friendly and inclusive. We miss her, but we know that she is having a grand reunion with family and loved ones on the other side.

A Memorial/Celebration of Life is being planned for June 2022.