Dolores Blaier, family matriarch
Dolores Blaier (nee Hanby), 88, completed her earthly journey and transitioned to her next great adventure Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. She had patiently and valiantly waited to be reunited with her beloved mother, daddy, husband, and granddaughter.
Dolores was born July 5, 1934, in Wilmington, the only child of the late Clarence and Catherine Hanby. She was the apple of their eyes.
Dolores graduated from Claymont High School in 1952, where she excelled in athletics, as well as met her high school sweetheart, Herman Blaier. Shortly after graduation, they became engaged. Dolores worked as a private secretary for Hercules Inc. Dolores and Herman married in 1953 and shared 66 years of marriage until his death in 2020.
Dolores was an excellent homemaker, chef and seamstress for her family. She was quite an independent thinker, and freely shared her strong opinions, beliefs, and convictions on a vast array of subjects. When Dolores spoke, people listened. Due to her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, wisdom and self-awareness, she was truly a force to be reckoned with.
Dolores was an avid reader and possessed hundreds of books in her lifetime. She fully embraced technology well into her 70s, which opened a whole new world of exploration (and shopping) for her. She loved writing poetry and drawing, but gardening was her biggest passion. Every spring, she loved planting and nurturing a large variety of flowers and plants, as it brought her so much joy and peace. Her home was always surrounded by colorful blooms and trees.
As her children matured, she reinvented herself by utilizing her friendliness, people skills and social abilities to become a popular waitress in various restaurants. She developed many close friendships with her coworkers. She was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with her.
Dolores adored the ocean and beach. After retirement, her dream of living there came true. She and Herman moved to Ocean View, where she could enjoy her children and grandchildren, as they were her heart and soul. Dolores and Herman began taking frequent road trips together and visited all but seven states. Being an ocean lover, Big Sur, Calif., held an extra-special and sacred place in her heart. She spoke of it often, saying how it brought her much peace, tranquility and spirituality. Also among her favorite places were Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Dolores had dreamed of being a fashion designer as a young girl; she made her wish semi-reality by becoming quite the “fashionista.” She kept up with the latest styles well into her 80s. She adored shoes of all kinds, acquiring a sizeable collection over the years. She freely shared and inspired her daughters and granddaughters with her love of beautiful clothes, jewelry, and shoes. They affectionately named her closet The Glamour Closet, where they were free to take what they pleased, be it a casual T-shirt, cowboy hat, feather boa, or a sleek pair of stilettos.
The most important thing in Dolores’s life was her adoring family, where she served as a beloved matriarch for decades. Her family will treasure the many holidays, family gatherings and sweet memories they have of her. Dolores was a glorious and magnificent soul. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, laughing heartily, and using her outrageous and absurdly silly sense of humor to put everyone in stitches. She will be sorely missed on so many levels but we take comfort in knowing that she is at peace, smiling down upon us until we reunite with her once again.
In addition to her parents, Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Herman in 2020; as well as her first beloved granddaughter Victoria in 2017, with whom she shared a deep and cherished bond.
Dolores is survived by her children: Donna Hall of Ocean View, Debbie McNelly (Chip) of Clarkdale, Ariz., Scott Blaier (Barbara) of Magnolia, and Sherri Milby (Craig) of Oak Ridge, N.C.; and her grandchildren: Brandon Hall, Ryan Hall (Khaleda), Ellie Blaier, Rachel Milby and Ben Blaier.
She is also survived by many neighbors and friends. Special thanks to Patti and Al Klosek for their loving care of Dolores and Herman for over 20 years as their next-door neighbors.
Services and burial are private.
Online condolences can be left by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
