Dolorese Ann Dow-West Cushing
July 25, 1930 – October 1, 2026

Dolorese Ann Dow-West Cushing of Bartlett, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Ave Maria Home in Bartlett. She lived a remarkable life filled with faith, family, friendship and love. She was 96.

Born July 25, 1930, at St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, Dolorese was the daughter of Margaret Ann Fox Dow and James Russell Dow. Her mother later married Nicholas Lee West, who became an important and loving influence in Dolorese's life and played a significant role in her upbringing. Dolorese attended Sacred Heart Catholic School for 12 years followed by Memphis State University.

In 1937, at just seven years old, Dolorese was voted "Miss Shirley Temple" in a contest conducted by Girl Scouts Troop 1 to find the Mid-South's movie-star double. Her selection was featured in The Memphis Press-Scimitar on July 30, 1937, complete with a photograph that made a convincing case for the resemblance.

During her high school summers and many years after graduation, she traveled to Fullerton, California, where she worked for her father at his CPA firm. During the 1950s, Dolorese modeled for Memphis-area department stores and frequently appeared in local fashion shows. She had natural elegance and beauty, but those who knew her best would tell you that her true beauty came from the kindness, generosity and warmth she showed to others.

On July 18, 1952, she married Lawrence "Larry" Eugene Cushing Sr. in Las Vegas, Nevada. Larry's service in the Marine Corps took the young couple to California, North Carolina and Tennessee. They had three children, Lawrence Eugene Jr., Richard Carl, and Dorothea "Jeannine."

Nothing meant more to Dolorese than being a mother. She had always dreamed of having children, and she often made it clear that motherhood was the greatest joy of her life. That joy only grew when she became a grandmother. Her children and grandchildren were truly the loves of her life.

Along with her love, she gave her grandchildren a lifetime's worth of memorable expressions and funny sayings. Those sayings became part of the family's own language, repeated with affection over the years, and her grandchildren say they fully intend to keep quoting their grandmother for generations to come.

Dolorese loved being around people and knew how to enjoy life. Bridge, pinochle, bunko and bingo kept her busy with several ladies' groups through the years. Music also held a special place in her heart. One of her greatest pleasures was attending performances by her son Richard and his band FreeWorld.

Her appreciation for the arts extended to Memphis' historic Orpheum Theatre, where she volunteered as an usher for many years during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. She also worked for nine years as assistant manager of The Card Cage at Raleigh Springs Mall during the 1980s.

Dolorese was a devoted dog lover throughout her life. She cherished her black Labrador retriever, Droopy, and her Shih Tzu, Pete, but in her later years there was hardly any separating Dolorese from her adored Jack Russell Terrier, Jack. The two were constant companions, and Jack became her little buddy through an important chapter of her life.

Dolorese was a parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bartlett and remained a devoted Catholic throughout her life. Her faith was a true source of strength for her, and she lived it every day. Always wearing a smile on her face, her love of the Church and Christ shown through in her daily life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Ann Fox West and James Russell Dow; her stepfather, Nicholas Lee West; her husband, Lawrence Eugene Cushing Sr.; and her son, Lawrence Eugene Cushing Jr.

She is survived by her children, Richard Cushing (Lori) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Jeannine Mensi (Phillip) of Hickory Withe, Tennessee.

She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Lauren Nelson of Cordova, Tennessee; Oliver Cushing (Drew) of Maumelle, Arkansas; Ian Cushing (Taylor) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Ashli Ursery (Addison) of Old Hickory, Tennessee; Alex McNinch (Jacob) of Palmer, Alaska; Joseph Seblonka (Brittany) of Bloomfield, Michigan; and James Seblonka (Anya) of Houston, Texas.

The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the staff of Ave Maria Home, and especially to the nurses and caregivers of St. Luke's Cottage, for the extraordinary kindness, compassion and care they gave Dolorese. Her life was enriched during the time she spent there, and her family will always be grateful to those who cared for her with such tenderness.

Prior to her residency at Ave Maria Home, she lived with her daughter Jeannine who cared for her during the first 10 years of her journey with dementia.

Visitation will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, 6529 Stage Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38134, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026, at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38125.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Dolorese Cushing's memory to the Alzheimer's Association through its tribute donation program at www.alz.org, or by mail to Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.