Dolores A. Carpenter Obituary

February 17, 1928 – April 6, 2022

Dolores A. Carpenter passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on April 6, 2022 at age 94. Dolores (aka "Mother") is survived by six children: Larry, Antoinette, David, Mickie, Jackie (Ron), and Joey. She is also survived by 7 grandsons, one granddaughter (Michael, Patrick, Lenny, Andy, Casey, Tracy, Christopher, Michael Lawrence), 4 great grandchildren (Leah, Madison, Corey & Allie Rae) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a talented artist and seamstress which inspired her children to be both creative and free spirited. She was preceded in death by her husband, Winfred "Bud" Carpenter, who passed in 2003 after 58 years of marriage. Born as Dolores Aguirre in Rifle, Colorado, she and her two brothers, Albert & Joe, moved with their mother Mary Aguirre, a young widow, to Phoenix, Arizona in or about 1940. Dolores attended St. Mary's Grade School and St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, AZ. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1946 and shortly thereafter met her future husband, "Bud Carpenter," an airplane mechanic in the US Army Air Corps which became the US Air Force in 1947. Bud was stationed at Luke Air Force base near Phoenix. After they married at St. Mary's Church, they lived in various locations according to US Air Force orders. Larry and Antoinette were born in Phoenix and David was born in Fairfield, CA. Mickie and Jackie were born near London, England when Dad was stationed there. The family moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1958 and lived a year in Fort Worth, Texas. Raising six children was the joy of Mother's life and there was never a dull moment. There was always excitement at the Carpenter house. Mother is famous for her amazing birthday cakes which have lately been known as "Grannie cakes" with yellow cake and almond frosting with pastel blue or pink birthday greetings decorated like a true artist. They were lovely to behold and even better to eat. Mother sewed incredible prom dresses, show clothes for the musicians and fancy cowboy shirts for the boys. Mother always encouraged practice of the Roman Catholic faith in her children and grandchildren. She prayed the Holy Rosary daily. Her Celebration of Life will be April 13, 2022, at 11 am at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church at 1800 S Kolb Road in Tucson.