At Neighbors Who Care, we are often humbled by the dedication of our volunteers, but few stories radiate as much warmth and resilience as that of Delores Anderson. As Delores prepares to retire from volunteering at the remarkable age of 97, we take a moment to celebrate a lifetime defined by “showing up” for others.
Delores and her husband, Don, traded the harsh winters of Anchorage, Alaska, for the Arizona sunshine in 2016. It didn’t take long for them to find their calling; in 2019, a simple flier in their mailbox led them to our doors. Having been a lifelong volunteer, Delores knew immediately that Neighbors Who Care was the perfect fit. Together, she and Don became staples of our team, serving in Dinner Delivery, Respite, and Welfare Checks.
Service was the heartbeat of their 76-year marriage. While Don worked hard in construction to provide for their three children, Delores turned “volunteer” into her middle name. From leading Camp Fire Girls and Cub Scouts to serving as PTA President, her impact was everywhere. Her faith was equally central; she taught Sunday School, chaired church groups, and took immense pride in being one of three women entrusted with preparing Sunday Communion.
Perhaps most inspiring was Delores’s devotion to her oldest daughter, who was blind. To ensure her daughter could thrive in public school alongside sighted peers, Delores mastered the Braille Writer. She spent countless hours transcribing textbooks—a skill so refined that she was eventually hired by a law firm to transcribe a Bar Exam for a student.
After 30 years in Seattle and another 30 running a laundromat in Anchorage, Delores and Don brought that same industrious spirit to Sun Lakes. Even after Don passed away last year at age 96, Delores refused to slow down. Enlisting the help of dear friends like Jan and Pat to serve as her drivers, she continued her dinner delivery routes, proving that community is a team sport.
Whether she was sewing matching outfits for square dancing or being “GG” to her five great-grandchildren, Delores has lived with a spunky, selfless grace. Delores, thank you for being the hands and feet of our mission for so many years. You have shown us all that you are never too old to make a difference.
Happy retirement, GG—you’ve certainly earned it!
