Delores Merchant Foley
With love and respect we said good-bye to our Mother on April 19, 2017. Delores Anne Sinclear was born in Hiawatha, Kansas, a small farming town, on June 13, 1926. It was a tough time to enter the world, just before the Great Depression. Together with her father Jack, mother Bulah and siblings Dale and Rose Marie, Mom worked from the crack of dawn until well after sundown to make sure her family’s dairy farm would provide a decent living for the household. She milked cows, helped plant crops and tended to her beloved farm animals. Mom was heart-broken when her pet pig was sold at auction to provide funds for food and her blind pet chicken was fried for dinner. She enjoyed school and often rode a pony to the one-room schoolhouse that provided both an education and a simple social life. Mom’s early life had a strong influence on her and was the foundation for the grit and resolve she exhibited all her life. Mom was very proud of her farm upbringing.
Almost every year there was a natural disaster that would destroy the crops – grasshoppers, too much rain, not enough rain. In 1938, looking for a better life, her parents traded their Hiawatha farm for 80 acres of virgin land, complete with tumbleweeds, in Ceres, California. The family held a public auction in Hiawatha and sold almost everything, including the kitchen sink. Mom and her family drove west to California, followed by a pickup truck with a mattress on top. One year after leaving Kansas for Ceres, and after much backbreaking work, the Sinclear family moved into the farmhouse hand-built by her father and started another dairy farm. This farm is still in operation today.
Mom continued to excel in school and taught herself to play her father’s WWI baritone horn so she could join her high school band. She entered Modesto Junior College in 1944 and concentrated on business studies. Known throughout her life for her stunning beauty, Mom was voted Queen of the Modesto Relays (renamed California Relays), an elite world-class track-and-field competition. She also continued to contribute to family finances by working in the canneries, often assigned to 12 hour shifts.
After graduation, Mom took a giant step and with a friend, moved to San Francisco. She started work at the Bank of California and worked her way up to secretary to the President of the Bank. While settling into her new life she met our dad Bill Merchant on a blind date, and after a 7-month whirlwind courtship they married in 1951.
Mom and Dad raised their 5 children in San Mateo and Hillsborough. We were the center of Mom’s life and she was very involved with school activities, piano and dance lessons, and teaching us about responsibility and self-respect. As we grew older, Mom joined the Peninsula Civic Light Opera, serving as president and holding the record for fund-raising, and the MillsPeninsula Auxiliary. She was also exceptionally devoted to helping care for both of her parents in their later years.
Mom and Dad parted ways after we were grown. Mom continued with her life-long practice of going to the gym and teaching us about nutrition and a healthy diet. One day she received a card, forwarded by her brother, that had been sent to her at the family farm in Ceres. It was from Warren Foley, a former work colleague she had dated while at the Bank of California. Mom and Warren married 5 years later in Scotland, traveled the world, and enjoyed a happy and loving union until his passing 12 years later.
The final chapter of Mom’s life was lived quietly. She continued to be there for her children and grandchildren. She loved to exercise and read up on the latest health trends. In her later years Mom was diagnosed with dementia and she faced this diagnosis with great courage. Throughout this time, Mom was always pleasant and continued to hold her head high. She always tried to do her best.
Mom is survived by her 5 children – Terri Anne, Stephen (Pamela), Larry, Jennifer and James. She is also survived by her sister Rose Marie, sister-in law Georgia, 9 grandchildren, 1 greatgrandchild and numerous extended family members. Mom is predeceased by her husbands Warren Foley and Bill Merchant. A lifelong animal lover, Mom is survived by the family of feral cats who, for years, have arrived at her doorstep on a daily basis to be fed. One of Mom’s favorite phrases was to “always do the right thing”, no matter the circumstances.
At Mom’s request, private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, our family suggest donations be made to the Homeless Cat Network, Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.
Our family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Sutter Hospice, Medical Care Professionals and Dr. Nani Kanen for their compassionate care of our mother.
Thank you for everything Mom. We love you. God Bless.