Obituary of Dolores June Starkey

Dolores June Watson Starkey was born in Jere, WV on June 15, 1929 and passed away November 15, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Nolan Dale Starkey in 2004. She was the daughter of Mary Irene Zickefoose and Cecil William Watson. Her family roots include many of West Virginia’s earliest families which can be traced back to the Revolutionary War. She is survived by her son Charles Nolan Starkey, daughter-in-law Anneke of Chicago, Illinois; daughter, Joan Dayle Starkey McKay, son-in-law Steve of Morgantown, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Dolores was a curious, intelligent, and loving woman deeply devoted to family, friends, and church. At the same time she was also a woman of many talents and pursuits. After graduating from Morgantown High, Dolores continued her education throughout her life, taking classes at WVU, obtaining certifications, and traveling the world. As a military wife and later into retirement, she lived in Germany and traveled from the Coliseum of Rome, to the river Jordan, to Moscow, and Mexico, and many points between. During her lifetime, she was employed in many occupations. She worked at a Morgantown glass factory, at the Morgantown airport where she also took flying lessons, at the United Mine Workers, NIOSH, and finally WVU, from which she retired. At WVU she assisted the Religious Studies Dept. and later the Library Science Department. She devoted herself for many decades to religious studies and was widely read on many religions and doctrines; she believed more unites us than divides us - as a world view. Dolores spent the last decade living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her faithful friends and companions, Melinda Clark, and also AnnaBell Bennett, assisted family with in home care and many outside activities including daily outings. She attended Wiles Hill Senior Center, Riverside Church, and 3 C’s hair salon each week. The family was blessed with her good humor and cooperation; her last month required additional care from the Fitzwater’s Gracious Living personal care home in Fairmont. People’s Hospice assisted with her final peaceful journey to her heavenly home. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final hours. A special thanks is extended to all the caring souls mentioned above. Friends and family will be received at the Riverside Apostolic Church on Dents Run in Westover on Friday (11/21/2014) from 1-3 and 5-7. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday (11/22/2014) from 11 AM until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 PM with Reverend David Hudson officiating. Interment will take place at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. Hastings Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Riverside Apostolic Church, PO Box 2040, Morgantown, WV 26502. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com