Dolores Gemma Jarrett

November 17, 1934 – November 01, 2024

Dolores Gemma Jarrett, age 89, passed away on November 1, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. Born on November 17, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA, Dolores was a beacon of love and generosity, known for her welcoming nature and strong moral values.

Dolores graduated from St. Basil High School in 1952 and furthered her education at St. Francis School of Nursing.  Following nursing school, Dolores married the love of her life, Edmund Jarrett and the adventure began.   She dedicated 68 years to being a devoted mother and wife, moving wherever Ed’s job took them.  Ed put his full faith in the knowledge that “Dolly” would lead the way in raising his children to be honorable, productive citizens.  She stayed deeply involved in the upbringing and successes of her 6 children. Dolores was a pillar of support, sharing in the accomplishments of her family with immense pride and love.  As a mother, Dolores was her children’s first and most influential teacher.  She raised her children to have inner strength through their faith and belief in themselves.  She modeled love, honesty, caring and self- sacrificing for the greater good.

As a wife, Dolores, (Dolly) showed complete devotion to Ed.  They were also the best of friends.    She often said that respect was the key to a good marriage, and she modeled that daily.  Ed respected and honored her as well and their love for each other held strong through every challenge.

Dolores made friends wherever she went.  When you met her, it was impossible not to feel welcome and appreciated.  Her open mind and heart made everyone feel like they were worthy of being loved.  Her friendships were long and meaningful.  She was a friend you could always count on.

An active parishioner, Dolores was involved in several churches throughout her life, including St. Henry Parish in Gresham, St. Michael Parish in Sandy, St. Terese Parish in NE Portland, St. John the Worker in SE Portland, and finally St. Ignatius Parish in SE Portland. Her life was a testament to her faith and commitment to her community.

Dolores had a passion for sports, particularly golf, being a member of the women’s golf group at Mt. View Golf Course. She took great pride in being the owner of a golf course.  She continued to enjoy the game and even played with her daughters the summer before she passed away.  She was a dedicated supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities, often traveling miles to support them. Additionally, Dolores was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Portland Trail Blazers fan, celebrating each game with enthusiasm. Her creative spirit shone through in her love for music, dance, writing, painting, and her diamond dot paintings, which are cherished by her family.

Dolores is survived by her devoted children, Mary Kathryn Baker, Bernadette Hoover, Ed Jarrett, Annette VanDaam, Barbara Baty, and David Jarrett; her beloved nineteen grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Virginia McKane, and her husband, Edmund Jarrett.

Services for Dolores will be at St. Ignatius Parish, located at 3400 SE 43rd Ave, Portland, OR 97206, Thursday November 7, 2024. Viewing at 10:00, 10:30 rosary, mass at 11:00 with reception to follow.  A reception will follow at Mt. View Golf Course, 27195 SE Kelso Rd, Boring, OR 97009.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, charities that were close to Dolores’ heart.