CAMPBELL, Dolores Teresa October 24, 1938 – October 24, 2025

Dolores Teresa Campbell (nee Farrell) passed away peacefully on her 87th birthday, October 24, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 24, 1938 she was the youngest child of Jack and Margaret Farrell.  In Ireland they used to believe that children bring their names when they come into the world. That’s why she was named Dolores. Dolores is from the Spanish name Dolorosa which means “sorrow”. Because her father passed away before she was born, she brought her name. Her mom told her she would meet him when she went to heaven. She asked her how she would know him and her mother said, “He will know you”. So, Dolores always believed she would see him when she died.

Dolores was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage. She was predeceased by her parents and seven siblings, including her big sister, Mary, who emigrated to Canada before her. Dolores was the last of her Farrell family.  

Dolores will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jacqueline Owen (Dan) and her grandsons, Josh and Shawn, and her nieces and nephews in Canada, Ireland, the US and Australia.

Her mom died when she was 14 and her life changed drastically.  She moved around and lived with all of her siblings. Dolores missed her mother, but she always looked forward. She left Ireland to work in England. She said, “What came out of that was the most important thing in my life, my daughter”. She started her family raising her daughter in England before emigrating to Canada. It was a good move.

Dolores quickly got a job at Christensen Diamond Products where she placed diamonds in drill bits. Then she worked at McCoy Brothers for about 26 years, where she trained as a machine operator. She said she was good at her job as she developed her skills throughout her career and really enjoyed it. She worked there up until retiring.

What could have been a life changing event occurred shortly after arriving in Canada. Dolores would retell the story. “Shortly after arriving in Canada a turkey bone got stuck in my throat and I had to go to the hospital for exploratory surgery to make sure it still wasn’t stuck. While there I had a near death experience. I was walking down a very dark alley. At the end of the alley was a bright light. There was loud music playing. I have always loved loud music. I was dancing and walking down towards this light. I was very happy. I don’t know why I was so happy because my little girl wasn’t with me. That’s something I will always remember. “

Dolores’ love of games started when she was young. She used to play games and cards while visiting her grandmothers. Her love of music, especially Elvis and Irish music, reading, especially books by Irish authors, knitting sweaters for family and friends and playing games continued throughout her life. Her sense of fun and youthfulness was something she particularly liked to share with her grandsons and the rest of her family. Beginning when her grandsons were little, Dolores had her grandsons over for sleepovers where they were able to build their own special bond. To them she was Nanny.

She was willing to try and learn new games and activities. She had recently joined a choir. Previously, Dolores also grew to enjoy bingo and carpet bowling. She was on a five-pin bowling team at one time. She said, “When I decided to leave that team they were all upset about it. I thought they were going to miss my bowling, but instead they said they were going to miss my sense of humor.” Her Irish accent and humour were also easily noticed. 

Her Catholic faith remained important to her throughout her life. Dolores was an integral part of her daughter Jacqueline, Dan, Josh and Shawn’s life. She always believed her biggest achievements were being a mother and a grandmother. 

When Dolores was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 15 years ago she said it was difficult and while it was a hard thing to deal with she said that it was now part of her.

She will be deeply missed. 

Memorial donations can be made to Parkinson Canada