Delores Irene Moore was born to Lloyd and Gladys Moore on May 05, 1931. "Dee" (as she was known) took college courses in various subjects, but never received a degree. She possessed an incisive ability to solve math problems in her head. Though she worked three jobs to provide for four children, she always found the resources for parochial school tuition to instill "a good education" and "a strong moral foundation" within her children. Two important principles Delores felt strongly about.
As a mother, she was very clever in the way she would wrap presents for birthday parties her children attended. Dee loved to decorate cakes and was extremely talented with her original designs. Though there was little money, she made an Easter Bunny, a Santa Claus and a few other holiday decorations out of home-made papier-mâché and paint. One year, tasked by her oldest daughter's school, Delores arranged, produced and directed a musical play of the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore using music of Tchaikovsky's suite from "The Nutcracker" ballet.
Professionally in the 1960's, she was known to be one of two women in California working as the primary "Purchasing Agent" for a major firm. A position assumed to be for men only due to the pivotal decisions governing large budgets and expenditures encountered. She was paid less than her male colleagues with the company as was the common practice of the era.
Lloyd and Gladys Moore lived at 1229 S. McDonnell Ave, Los Angeles, CA until passing in the mid-1960's. Lloyd died in 1967 followed by Gladys in 1968, both from cancer. Dee was only age 37 when she had lost her parents.
This photograph, believed to be taken at the McDonnell Ave residence, may have been in the late 1930's. Dee would have been less than 9 years old.
Dee was uniquely distinguishable among other children, with her very light strawberry-blonde wavy hair and beautiful green eyes.
She was generally a happy child and possessed a smile that would entice the most miserable person to want to embrace her.
The little boy standing next to Dee was Bill Devine. She had no siblings, being an only child, and Bill (her cousin) was her best friend and surrogate brother, while they were growing up.
It's been said that during her "Tween-age" (pre-teen) years, a few of the neighborhood kids threw rocks at Delores and called her an "Okie" or "Hillbilly". Ironically, one of the bullies was John Bruce, her future husband. Nevertheless, Delores did have her friends and spent much of her early adolescense like most other children of the time.
This portrait of Dee with her mother, Gladys, was taken while she was still living at home. The belief is she would have been about 14 years old at the time.
Delores attended Garfield High School in Los Angeles between 1946 and 1949. It's quit possible that these were part of a set of "glamore" photographs taken during a professional photo session for Delore's High School Graduation.
One of these photographs may have been her senior picture in the high school yearbook.
July of 1950, Miss Delores Irene Moore became Mrs. Delores Irene Bruce. John Anthony Bruce and her were married before John left for Korea after joining the U.S.Army. They were both 19 years of age. The wedding took place at the Mc Donnell house in Los Angeles and Dee's Aunt Elva Mae Wiese was her maid of honor.
John returned from Korea in 1952 to Dee and his first born female child, Margret Lorren (born August 21, 1951). John and Dee went on to have three more children, Glenn Allen (January 10, 1955), Mark Corwin (November 18, 1956) and Leslie Ann (February 3, 1958) before devorcing in the mid-1960's. After the devorce, Dee would never marry again.
This was Dee's style while living in Corona Del Mar, jetting around in her MGB and spending her off hours playing tennis. A very happy time in her life as she made good money and lived near the beach by herself. Her four children were out of the house and succeeding in their own way, making fewer demands of her.
She was just 44 years old. The back of the photograph read "1975".
Delores sold her house in Belmont Shores, near Long Beach, CA in the late 1970's and moved to South Shore Lake Tahoe on the California side. Her philosophy was "First, decide where you want to live - then make your living." She lived there for almost 30 years with her two Basset Hounds, Basil and Benita. Sadly Benita was poisoned by passing tourists camping over-night on the vacant lot behind her property. Soon after, Basil died and Dee found Joey, a male basset hound puppy, who she charished as her companion and best friend.
By 2008, Lake Tahoe had lost it's charm. Dee refused to deal with rude tourists and the slippery conditions of snow and ice any longer. She moved to Fair Oaks, California just outside of Sacramento. Dee loved her new condo and made a home there for Joey and herself.
In December of 2013, Joey died suddenly and left her heartbroken. By May 12th, 2014, about 5 months later, Dee left us to join her companion, Joey. It was Mother's Day...
When you visited - you’d see
two old chairs there would be
and a table in need of repair.
Of two places to sit,
‘cause that’s all that’d fit,
only one was worn of the pair.
And the other like new
now yearning for who
will sit in this old empty chair.
With much to be said
in few moments ahead
the old chair sat cold and bare.
For an era gone by
it’s foolish to ask why
so much time has been lost in despair.
So I imagine how it'd be
to visit Joey and Dee
and sit in that old empty chair.
Love ya Mom...
GABruce.com 
SDBruce.com 
BruceArt.net 
theBruceHouse.com