Dolores Whitelaw

Dolores Fahey Whitelaw, accomplished painter and artist, beloved wife of 56 years to her husband, Bruce. Mother, grandmother and eldest sibling of six, died on November 20th at the age of 77 in Inverness, Florida.

Schooled at the Art Students League in New York, Dolores’s joyful paintings have been shown in galleries in New York City, New York state, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She was first and foremost a lover of beauty, of nature, of family and friends. Her art work celebrated those moments of life.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she lived in New Jersey with her family until her retirement in Florida. She embraced each chapter, from the glamorous heart-breaker of Brooklyn to the fearless, fun-loving (and best) fisherwoman of Laurel Lake, Pa., where she spent her summers. A “people person,” she knew how to attract friends in every community she lived in — as an activist, a volunteer, a golfer, a reader, a music and film lover, a traveler, a pub-crawler, and a confidant who could always make you laugh — and think. She was a wise woman — a curious woman — a resilient women who marched forward — and never looked back.

Dolores worked as a teacher of art, a design consultant for Trans Design, and spent ten years with Schering Plough, before making the decision to work primarily as an artist in the nature coast of Florida, a place that continued to be a source of inspiration — and constant adventure.

Dolores leaves behind a family who will miss her soul and spirit: her husband Bruce, her son, Casey, who considered Dolores his “first friend,” daughter-in-law Becky, daughter Erin, grandchildren David and Kayla, three surviving sisters and a brother, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews who considered her more a fun “peer” than a great aunt. She would yell at us from above if we didn’t include Pepe, her cherished dog, as a survivor. And she will be missed, always, by the Ladies of the Lake (LOL) from her beloved Laurel Lake … especially on a full moon.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Memorials to be held at a future date. Information will be at https://www.heinzfh.com