Doloros Coari Maher

Doloros Maher, age 94, passed away on June 10, 2022.  She was born June 19, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to Aleta and Paul Coari.  She was married to Joseph Francis Maher, Jr. in October of 1949.

Doloros spent the majority of her life selflessly caring for others.  After she was widowed in 1963, she raised four children and several other children at the V.F.W. National Home for Widows and Orphans, where she worked as a housemother from 1963 to 1971.

She then moved to Myrtle Beach where she worked for her parents in the Dairy Treet ice cream stand in the Pavilion, and later as a clerk at the Health Department.  She had a strong work ethic, and her boss commended her for not wanting to climb the ladder, but always striving to do an excellent job in the position she held.

While working, she helped to care for her grandmother, and after her retirement, for her stepfather and mother.  Being a caretaker was her calling.

Doloros’ family was her passion.  She was happiest when surrounded by them, so she ensured that many family gatherings and reunions happened over the years, often in beach houses where over twenty family members spent an entire week together.

She moved to Murrells Inlet in 1993 and became very active at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she was part of the Adoration Team, headed up the food drives for the Community Outreach, and attended Curcillo.  She also was a member of the Women’s Guild and H2U (Senior Friends).  In 2002, she was named St. Michael’s Catholic Woman of the Year.

Doloros was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Francis Maher, Jr, her son, Roy Maher, her mother, Aleta Valentine Coari Moore, and her brother, Paul Coari. 

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Virginia Maher (Roy, deceased), daughter, Madeline Rathgaber (Kurt), son Ed Maher (Peggie), daughter Beth Maher (David Alvarez); eight grandchildren, Erin, Amy, Megan, Kyle, Erik, Zak, Casey and Angelica; three great grandchildren, Cassidy, Julia and Ari; and two nephews Bob Sanshuk and Bill Coari.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Northland Lodge, in Two Rivers, WI, who cared for Doloros during the past seven years, and St. Croix Hospice who provided a smooth and loving transition for Doloros in her last days here.

Visitation will be at McMillan-Small in Myrtle Beach, SC on Monday, June 20 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 21, at 10:00 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Murrell’s Inlet, SC.  Burial to follow in Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery, Myrtle Beach.­­­­

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Murrell’s Inlet, SC.­­­­

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