Obituary of Dolly E. White

Dolly White age 78 died on Tuesday February 1, 2011 following complications of heart surgery. Dolly was born May 19, 1932 in Monterey, California. She is survived by her daughters Kathy (Russ) Oles and Laurie (Bill) Hambaro, her grandchildren Tracee and Elizabeth Oles, Joi Hughes, Garrett and William Hambaro, as well as three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Garrett ?A? White, her parents Jim and Mary Chappell, her brothers Angelo, Joe, Maurice, and Manuel De Maria, Bill Chappell and her sister Carmen Querferth. Dolly was born at home in 1932 during the Great Depression and grew up in New Monterey. As a young child she helped her father and brothers to build the Chappell Rock House, a city landmark constructed of Carmel stone located on the corner of Pine and Irving in New Monterey. Dolly earned a B.A. in psychology as well as a teaching credential in 1957 as part of the first graduating class California State University, Northridge. As a teacher she touched the lives of countless children. Her first position was in Alviso, California in 1958 teaching a class of 50 students. Many of them did not speak English and came to school hungry. There were few books and few supplies but of course Dolly rose to the challenge. She also taught in Hawaii and Monterey. After her retirement she continued to substitute teach for many years. She was one of the first teachers called in the morning because she was willing to teach any age group and did not need lesson plans. It seemed that there was nothing Dolly could not do, whether it was designing and building houses, planting a grape vineyard or playing video poker for hours and remembering every hand she was dealt. Dolly was full of energy and even at the last, she asked about her business, her friends and family. Her son-in-law, Russ Oles, was with her every day while she was in hospital making sure every need was met as well as enjoying a few laughs at the end of her long journey. Her life was huge. She did it her way. We will always remember Dolly. The family asks donations in her honor be made to St. Angela's Food Pantry.