Valdez resident Dolores Marie Gard unexpectedly left us on January 24, 2024, after a brief illness. Daughter of the late Lloyd and Mary (Lorda) Lemm, she was born October 10, 1947 in Westwood, CA. A 1965 graduate of Chester High School in Chester, CA, Dolores married her fellow classmate Charles (Chuck) Gard, in 1968, upon his returnfrom military service in Vietnam. The family soon grew, with the birth of their sons Steven and William. In 1975 they moved to Valdez, AK, where the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was being constructed.
A lifelong child development advocate, Dolores firmly believed that all children should succeed. She found herself drawn to her children’s school as a volunteer and was soon hired as an aide. She enjoyed her duties in the library, interacting with the students at recess, being the Lunchroom Lady, and manning the front desk. Dolores retired from Hermon Hutchens Elementary School after 23 years of service, and could still remember student names, long after they became adults.
Dolores was an active participant in every organization she joined. She was a founding member of the Valdez Chapter of Sweet Adelines and loved to sing. With both of her sons in sports, Dolores was active inthe Valdez Little Dribblers Basketball and Little League Baseball programs. In 1993 she received the district and state Volunteer of the Year Award in Little League. Working the stat books at most high school basketball games, she was awarded the Truck Egan Award at the 1988 Valdez Elks Basketball Tournament, for her many years ofvolunteer service.
Dolores was an active 48 year member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Valdez. She was often the first to recognize a parish need or problem, and head up a committee to resolve it. Dolores made sure singing happened at every weekend mass she attended, even if she had to personally lead the songs without music. After retiring, she was elected to the Valdez School Board numerous times and was dedicated to keeping people well informed on issues affecting students. An enthusiastic supporter of the Valdez Fish Derbies and Gold Rush Days, she was Queen of the Valdez Chamber of Commerce Winter Carnival in 1986. In 1997 the Valdez Eagles honored Dolores as Mother of the Year. In recent years she was a member of the local Pioneers of Alaska, the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive and enjoyed Valdez Elk Club activities.
Dolores is survived by her husband of 55 years, Charles of Valdez, AK; Son Steven, daughter-in-law Anne and grandsons Kaden and Cooper of Ojai, CA; Son William, daughter-in-law Leslie and grandchildren Oscar, Sophia and Piper of Eagle River, AK. She leaves behind her brother Paul Lemm of Chester, CA, “sister” Cathey Lorda of Sacramento, CA, and numerous other cousins in California.
A 2pm Memorial Mass will be held on January 30, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Valdez, AK.
Interment will be in Chester, CA at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, consider donations in her name to Covenant House, Sisters of the Holy Family, Autism Speaks, US Marine Corps Toys for Tots, the USO, or the charity of your choice.
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