Delores Maye Gagnon – November 10, 2022

Delores Maye Gagnon, our sweet Momma, 91, passed into Jesus’ arms on November 10, 2022.

Born in West Bend, Iowa to Omer and Bertha Edwards on March 18, 1931, Delores was the baby of twelve and last surviving.  She grew up on the family farm with big brothers and a precious sister. Seven of her brothers served and survived WWII. What a grand reunion they’re having in Heaven!

Retired from farming, the family moved to Emmetsburg where Delores graduated high school in 1949.  She ventured to Des Moines for work. Next, off to airline school in Kansas City riding streetcars on snowy streets lit by lampposts and piped-in Christmas music. Family coaxed Delores to vacation in Arizona. She moved to sunny Phoenix in 1952 where she met the love of her life, Arthur E. Gagnon of Albany, NY. They were married 58 years until his death in 2011. Delores was an amazing Air Force wife as well as an outstanding civil servant for ten years.

She had their firstborn son in Emmetsburg, Iowa while Art served in Korea. A daughter and second son completed their family. Home was wherever the Air Force moved them over twenty years including Arizona, England, France, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Michigan. In 1971, they retired in Colorado Springs.

Delores is survived by three children, James (Cathy), Gail (Steven Sprenger), and David (Laurel); eight grandchildren, Jacqueline, Joseph, David, Brian, Julie, James, Robert, Daniel; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty; nieces, nephews, and greats in the hundreds.

In 1892, Delores’ papa, 8, arrived in America by ship from Norway. Family stories led to Delores’ passion for genealogy. She and Florence (sister) researched decades recording family lineage back to Adam and Eve…before computers! A trip to Norway with siblings brought it all to life!

Delores loved family gatherings, ballgames, piano, camping, baking and sewing. She treasured a trip to Holy Lands with her sister, ‘to walk where Jesus walked.’ Delores and Art had fun bowling and going to VFW dances with longtime friends.

We cherish Mom’s published story of a big barn dance christening their new red barn! Her musical family brought jubilation to county folks, and us!

Mom, our joy-giver, colored our world with bright pink lipsticks and pretty brooches. Her piano playing (especially hymns), humor and trivia-smarts were delightful!

Oh Mom, we miss your smile and baby blue eyes!

Delores will be remembered for her loving kindness and grateful heart.

1 Corinthians 2:9

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd.  A reception will begin at 3:00p.m. at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 S. Union Blvd.