The Reverend Deacon Dolores “Dee” Anita Zeese, 80, of Tryon died on Sept. 25, 2012 at Mission Heart Center, Asheville, N.C.
Dolores was born in Otisville, N.Y. and lived in Orange County, N.Y. until moving to Tryon in 1993 with her husband, Paul. She was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church, Warwick, N.Y., where she was an active member of the altar guild. During her time at Christ Church, Dolores was also energetically involved with Church World Services-Crop Walk.
In 1996, Dolores was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, N.C. and served in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Carolina at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Tryon until her retirement in 2006. Dolores’ diaconal ministries were aimed at advocacy for the poor and hungry in Polk County and the surrounding area. She was inspirational in organizing the Crop Walk efforts in Tryon. Dee was also an inspiration and mentor to aspiring deacons and priests.
Dolores is survived by her husband, Paul; two daughters, Vicki Edwards and her husband, Dean, of Unionville, N.Y. and Kristina Pyle and her husband, Michael, of Sydney, N.Y., and a son, Douglas W. Ketcham of Kauneonga Lake, N.Y. Also surviving are her beloved stepdaughters, Holly Zeese, Paulette McDowell, Valerie Zeese and Jennifer Mahon. In addition, there are 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Benton, of Dallas, Texas.
A requiem mass and burial will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, 150 Melrose Avenue in Tryon, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, with interment immediately following in the Holy Cross Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends in the church parish hall immediately following the interment.
Memorial donations may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross Choir Fund, P.O. Box 279, Tryon, N.C. 28782; Steps to Hope, P.O. Box 518, Columbus, N.C. 28722; Church World Services-CROP Walk, P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, Ind. 46515 or Thermal Belt Outreach, 154 White Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.
Asheville Mortuary Services will conduct the cremation. The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross is in charge of arrangements. For additional information, please call the church at 828-859-9741.