Delores Ann Sarff passed away on June 9 in Wrangell, at the age of 93.
A private service is planned for a later date.
While standing only 4-foot-10, Delores was a giant of a woman to all who knew her. Born Delores Ann Dougherty on Feb. 20, 1933, in Butternut, Wisconsin, she was the second of 11 children born to Charles and Bertha “Pinkie” Dougherty. “She was lovingly called Sissy by her siblings throughout her life,” her family wrote.
Her formal education ended at eighth grade, when she joined her father and older brother in the family logging business, performing numerous jobs despite her diminutive size, including driving a logging truck.
In 1952, she married her forever love, Doyle Guy Sarff. That same year the couple welcomed their only child, Jerald “Jerry” Leroy Sarff. Though the family would live in Idaho, Oregon and Washington state, they would eventually make Alaska their lasting home.
In the early 1970s they moved to Wrangell, where Doyle and Delores pursued fishing and shrimping. She helped run the business on land while Doyle worked on the water.
She was known for her lifelong love of learning and her ingenuity. She had an uncanny ability to do amazing things with very little, things like her deer antler Christmas tree and Christmas stars which she made from various cans.
When they purchased property at 5.5-Mile, Delores claimed the front of the property as her territory while Doyle could do what he wanted with the back. She collected rocks from the property and beaches to build rock walls for numerous flower beds, many of which stand to this day. She loved her flowers, taking great pride in them and was well known throughout town for the beauty of her yard all year long.
Among her final wishes, Delores wanted to live out her final days and pass at home in Wrangell. “A special thanks to Glenn and Rebecca Smith as well as Donna McKay for helping to make this wish a reality,” her family wrote.
Delores was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 71 years, Doyle; her beloved son Jerry and daughter-in-law Amy; her parents; and the majority of her siblings.
She is survived by brothers Darryl (Lita) and Bill Dougherty; youngest sister Patricia; granddaughters Deann (Kenny) Torsak and Jaclyn Campbell; great-grandchildren Jathan Torsak, Brayten (Pepper) Torsak, Handen (Bonny) Torsak, Judy Torsak, Charlie Fodge and Joseph Campbell; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
