Delores Louise Holmes (nee Pepera), age 86, passed away in her sleep Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Maple Ridge Manor in Manistee, MI.

She is survived by her nephew Jon Drummond and his wife, Anu; cousin Sue (Zwiefka) Lytle; Amy (Holmes) Lindbeck and her husband, Bob; grandchildren Scott, Jason and Sarah Lindbeck; wonderful friends Ruth and Jerry Dittmar; and other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard, in 2020; her parents, Edmund and Angeline (Zwiefka) Pepera; and siblings Esther (William) Drummond; Florian "Peps" Pepera; and Jeannette (Richard) Scott. Delores was born December 15, 1935, in Manistee.

She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Manistee in 1954 and earned a Bachelor of Science teaching degree from Madonna College in Cadillac, MI, in 1958 and a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI, in 1966. She was a teacher for 28 years in both Cadillac and Grand Rapids, MI. She and Richard retired to Citrus County, FL, in 1988. Delores loved living in Florida and remained active in exercise classes and swimming. She delivered library books to shut-ins, volunteered at Meals on Wheels, and was active with Skillbank, a nonprofit volunteer organization in Beverly Hills, FL, that provides services to seniors, including wellness visits, light housework and rides to appointments. She cherished her good friends, especially her pen pals, who were treated to handwritten cards and letters in Delores' beautiful penmanship. She was an avid reader and traveler, and enjoyed nature, especially flowers, plants and birds.

At Delores' request, her body was cremated. The family is planning a celebration of life gathering for her and Richard later this year. The family thanks the Manistee VFW, Herbert Funeral Home, Hospice of Michigan and all of the staff at Maple Ridge Manor, especially Christine Guertin, Jenn Walsh and Dave Tuka. Donations are appreciated in Delores & Richard's names to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate .

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.