Lola graduated from CVHS in 1945, married Eugene Glorvigan in 1946 and moved to Lake Almanor CA. Lola worked as a switchboard operator and Gene was born in 1948. The marriage didn’t last long, so Lola and Gene moved back to Spokane Valley. She bought a 1948 Nash for the drives to/from CA to visit her in-laws, which Bernie taught her how to drive. Lola got a job with the County Health District. One night in 1953 while attending a dance that her mother played violin at, she met Wilford Dolphin, a WWII serviceman, he followed her home to make sure she got home safely, but told her he couldn’t see her anymore because he was getting married soon. Wil’s first wife, Irene, was critically sick and she died shortly after they were married. To Lola’s surprise in 1955 at another Saturday night dance, Wil asked her to dance and after a short courtship they were married in 1956.
Wil was a wood-shop teacher in the Spokane schools and Lola was a homemaker. In 1958 their daughter Nancy was born. They purchased a new home for $10,000 in Spokane Valley, and Wil made many additions over the years – a garage, bedrooms, a shop. Lola loved rocks, so on many road trips they would often pull over and stroll along creekbeds to pick up treasures – these decorated flowerbeds, a patio and a fireplace. They attended Opportunity Presbyterian Church and Lola was always an active supporter in the classrooms for Gene & Nancy.
After Gene and Nancy graduated, Lola went to work at the Crescent Warehouse where she made many friends. She often said that working there felt like Christmas everyday – opening new boxes for merchandise to prep for the sale floor. Wil was active in the Master’s Swimming program – so they took many road trips across the country, enjoying backroads to attend his competitions.
Wil died suddenly in a car accident in 1997 – but Lola wanted to continue to live in the house that she loved because it had so many memories of her wonderful life with Wil. She had an independent, stubborn streak – determined to live in that house until the end – which she did. She loved the four seasons, working in her flowerbeds and taking road trips to see the beauty of our Pacific Northwest. Her granddaughter, Kelsy took up scrapbooking and organized all Lola’s photos over the years into over 20 scrapbooks – which Lola loved looking through, remembering her wonderful life. Of course this project also gave us the opportunity gather many cherished family stories.
Lola was preceded in death, by her parents, her husbands Eugene and Wil, and her son Gene. She is survived by her daughter Nancy (Terry) Shatto, grandchildren Andy (Georgetta), Ian, Kelsy, great-grandson Andrew, sister-in-laws Ilene Schureman and Gwen Rawlings, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Since we are unable to hold a memorial service this year, we will just be having a private family burial. We ask that you make donations to the charity of your choice or to Opportunity Presbyterian Church in Lola’s memory. Lola was always very sweet, gracious and kind – she will be missed by all who loved her.
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