Dolores J. Carrillo was born on February 13,1929 into the Huerta family, the sixth of ten children born and raised in Tucson. After graduating from Tucson High, she showed great determination to get herself into the Accounting Program at the University of Arizona.  In 1949 she married Arnold R. Carrillo and traveled the world as an Army wife stationed in Japan, Germany, Spain, and US states ranging from New York and Texas to California.  Dolores was an extraordinary mother of eight children, advocating at every turn for her children and the children of others.

When Dolores returned to Tucson following a 24-year stint as a military wife, Dolores began working as a preschool teacher while attending Pima College to achieve her goal of becoming a bilingual educator. Dolores worked and then volunteered as a Bilingual Teacher's Aide at Santa Clara Elementary in the Sunnyside District, impacting an entire generation of children by attending to not only their education, but also uplifting their language and culture.

Advocacy was an important aspect of Dolores' entire life.  As a young mother she took a leadership role in Boy and Girl Scouts, PTA, Officer's Wives Club, and other community organizations wherever she lived.  Her advocacy extended to changing legislation that granted life-long benefits to military wives, serving on Pima County Justice Court Board, working to get justice for the victims of TCE Water Contamination, and passionately promoting the interests of the southside community.

Dolores is preceded in death by her parents Alejandro M. Huerta and Julia Vasquez, her sisters Mercedes Rivera, Alice Rivera, Josephine Herrera, and Rowena Huerta, her ex-husband Lt. Colonel Arnold R. Carrillo, and her son Arnoldo L. Carrillo.  She is survived by her siblings Fresia Lopez, Conchita Fotinos, Armida Hann, Richard Huerta, and Sister Mary Benedicta, and her children Dolores H. Carrillo, Alexandra Carrillo (James Lutz), Christina Carrillo (David Shrum), Teresa Carrillo (Samuel Barrocas), Claudia Maria Carrillo, Monica Carrillo (Dave Pringle), Natalie Carrillo (Gabriel Alvarez), as well as 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Dolores J. Carrillo lived a long and beautiful life centered on caring for others, giving voice to the under-represented, and changing the world for the better.

We would like to extend an invitation to all to join us on Saturday, Feb 8, 2025
St Augustine Cathedral 192 South Stone Ave Tucson,AZ
9:30 am  Rosary for Dolores J Carrillo
10:00 am  Mass will be held at for Dolores J Carrillo and Arnoldo L Carrillo

Bohio Vista Venue 4325 W Irvington Rd Tucson, AZ
11:30 am Celebration of Life for Dolores J Carrillo and Arnoldo L Carrillo