Dolores Hance

Dolores Ann Hance, nee Hernandez, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents Dionisio and Jennie Hernandez; her brothers Dennis and Raymond Hernandez; her husband Claude William Hance; her son Eric Hance; and her daughter Deb Hance Treadwell and her husband Rick.

Born at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, NYC on Wednesday, October 22, 1941, Dolores happily grew up with her five protective brothers Dennis, Raymond, Gregory, Frank, and Philip. St. Anselm's Catholic Parish centered their family life in the Bronx, for education and religion. Dolores graduated from St. Anselm's and then from St. Pius Commercial High School in 1959. She married Claude in November 1960 and embarked on a world-wide adventure as a US Navy wife, welcoming her two eldest children to the family while living in Maryland, the Philippines, California, St. Louis, Naples, Italy, and eventually the family settled in Albuquerque in 1970. She remained in New Mexico, welcoming her third child Rachel and eventually a grandson, Derek, and two great grandchildren, all who survive her. Dolores' greatest joy was to see her great-grandsons Dylan and Diego grow, and loving Derek's wife, Lucilla as her own daughter. She is survived by many special friends and relatives, including Rick's sister Marcia Treadwell.

Dolores was a faithful member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, spending many years serving on The Women's Guild and helping other Catholic causes. In 1986, after the passing of her husband, she became the full-time librarian at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, joyfully working there for 18 years. Not surprisingly, Dolores loved reading and learning, and considered it a privilege to spread that love to others. During this time as a single mother, she raised her youngest daughter Rachel and helped care for her grandson Derek Esquibel. Dolores instilled her love of learning and the performing arts into her daughter Rachel by being at every concert, play, ceremony, or game and pitching in to help however she could. Faithful, generous, determined, and kind-this was Dolores. She continued to avidly support Rachel's dream of becoming a teacher and enjoyed their shared passion for community theatre and the arts. Even as she aged, Dolores never stopped finding an outlet to give and volunteer. Whether it was making meals for the Good Shepherd, giving time and financial support to her Church, or donating baby items to Birthright, she supported many Catholic charities both here in New Mexico and all over the country.

At the end, Dolores bravely battled an aggressive diagnosis of lung cancer but never lost her faith or spirit. She was giving advice and love to those around her even to the end. Dolores will be greatly missed in this life, but as her faith proclaimed, we will be united once again in Heaven.

The celebration of Dolores' life will take place on Sunday, November 5th, 2023 at 4:00 pm with a Rosary/Vigil and Reception, as well as a Funeral Mass on Monday, November 6th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. All services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (4020 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110). Interment will immediately follow at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations in the name of Dolores Hance to Our Lady of Fatima Church, School, Library, or Women's Guild; to Birthright of New Mexico; to NM PBS station KNME; to Musical Theatre Southwest; or to Albuquerque Little Theatre.