Born in 1930 on a farm in Forman, North Dakota, Dolores was the sixth child of Joseph and Helen (Slabic) Jakobowski. The family moved to California in the 1940s, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area. There, she met her future husband Kenneth McKendry at a bowling alley in San Francisco, beginning a love story that would span more than 60 years. Together they raised three children: Michael McKendry, Diane Joel, and Cindy McKendry. She took great joy in her role as grandmother to Stefan Maisnier, Lena Langton, Christopher Langton, and Kendra Siebert.
In the 1970s, Dolores and Ken made their home in Benicia, California, where they would spend the next four decades. While pursuing a successful career as a supervisor in the insurance industry until her retirement in the 1980s, Dolores was also deeply committed to community service. She served as Worthy Matron and Grand Deputy of the Order of Eastern Star in Vallejo, and was an active member of the Vallejo Women's Club, the Eastern Star Sewing Club, the Rebeccas, and the Rainbow Girls. As a Rainbow chaperon - where she was affectionately known as “Walla Walla” - her playful spirit shone through, and she often had more fun than the young people she supervised.
Retirement opened new horizons for Dolores and Ken as they traveled the world together, exploring Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand, Europe, Aruba, the Panama Canal, Colombia, Hawaii, and beyond.
Known for her polished appearance and signature jewelry collection, Dolores brought style and grace to every occasion. In her final years, she lived with her daughter Cindy and son-in-law Fritz Siebert in Portland, Oregon, where Fritz's good-natured teasing always brought out her laugh. Her love for young people never dimmed – she became known as the “people's grandma,” warmly welcoming many of her granddaughter Kendra's friends who would visit to spend time with their adopted grandmother. Throughout her life, she was a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother whose beautiful smile, sense of humor, and infectious laughter will be deeply missed.
The family will honor Dolores' memory in a private gathering. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in her honor to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
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