Dolores Whaley

Long-time Chugiak resident Dolores Elizabeth Whaley passed away at her home on March 6, 2008. A small family memorial service was held on March 12 where her children and grandchildren were invited to share her life stories. She was buried in the Anchorage Memorial Park cemetery after a dedicatory prayer by long-time friend Darrel Smith.

Whaley was born in Bradford, Penn., to Fred Lawrence Eaton and Maria Marie Caussain Eaton on Sept. 13, 1927. She was the middle child of 13 children. The family moved to California where Whaley graduated from high school. She was involved in swim-ballet, chorus, orchestra and the drill team. She was an accomplished violinist and soloist soprano and performed on many private and civic occasions.

Whaley homesteaded in Chugiak and successfully raised three of her four children there. She was an outstanding civic leader, participating in the Chugiak Benefit Association and organizing her church’s first primary group in Chugiak. She was a gracious hostess and very service-oriented. Her influence touched many lives in Chugiak and in the surrounding areas, according to her friends.

“Dolly,” as she was known to many, was the founder and CEO of Missing Children of America Inc. based in Chugiak and was instrumental in re-uniting many lost children with their parents and guardians. Her efforts earned her many awards, which included commendations from the governor of Alaska, a service-oriented sorority, and national exposure in the Ladies Home Journal publication.

Her family wrote that Whaley enjoyed sewing, quilting, genealogy, painting and collecting photos of her family. Her talents were many and she shared them with family and friends at every opportunity.

Whaley was preceded in death by both parents, her infant son Paul, and all but four siblings (three sisters and one brother). She is survived by her three children, Mark of Ogden, Utah, Stephen of Wasilla, and Rebecca of Soldotna; 22 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Whaley’s life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Chugiak Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at the corner of Eagle River Road and Chandalar. Light refreshments will be served and memorabilia marking the occasions highlighting Whaley’s life will be on display. Friends, associates and family are welcome. If there are any questions or if anyone would like to send comments or memories of Whaley’s life, they may do so at mark_whaley@comcast.net.