Her Spanish speaking grandparents owned 180-acre ranch in Uvas Canyon
Published in the March 2-15, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Caitlin Schmitt, Barry Schmitt and Kathie Costello Schmitt
Photo courtesy Kathie Costello Schmitt
Dolores Cairns and Kathie Costello Schmitt on Christmas Day in 2015. Schmitt is the wife of Cairns’ nephew and they live today on the Morgan Hill ranch.
Centenarian and lifelong Santa Clara County resident, Dolores “Dee” Cairns (fondly called “Auntie D” by many) passed away peacefully Feb. 15, 2016 from complications following a hip fracture. Throughout her 107 vibrant years of life, Dee’s spirited nature, faith, kindness and resilience have touched countless lives.
Dee was born in 1908 in San Jose to Marguerite and John Juarez. She had two younger siblings, Harold and Mercedes. Dee spent a few years in her early childhood living with her Spanish-speaking grandparents on their 180-acre ranch in Uvas Canyon. Consequently, her first language was Spanish.
About 1915, the Juarez Family relocated to Los Gatos. In 1916, Dee received her First Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Parish. The Catholic faith was an important part of Dee’s life and upbringing. Throughout her life, Dee drew great strength and comfort from the Virgin Mary. As such, it seems fitting that Dee remained a parishioner at her local St. Mary’s for the duration of her life.
Dee attended elementary school in what is now the Old Town shopping center in Los Gatos. She received her high school diploma from Los Gatos High School and attended secretarial school shortly thereafter. She then began a 40-year career at a local title company.
In 1936, during the Great Depression, Dee married Lewis Cairns, her longtime “sweetheart.” In 1940, on the heels of the Depression, Dee and Lou purchased a home on Winchester in Monte Sereno, where they lived together until he died in 1980. Dee lived on independently in her Monte Sereno home until 2010, when she moved to the Los Gatos Meadows.
Auntie D spent many joyous moments with her three nephews and their families. As an auntie, a great auntie and a great-great auntie, she remained an active, unifying presence in her family for the rest of her life. Dee’s many birthdays brought the family together. As time went on, her annual birthday celebrations grew larger and larger and doubled as reunions for family and friends.
Dee continued to drive until she was 100 years old. In her late 90s, Dee was concerned and irritated that the DMV required her to retake her driver’s license exam. She surprised everyone by passing the test. Not too long after, she decided to stop driving after the battery died, much to the relief of her family.
Until early February, Dee was still mobile, walking freely with some assistance from her walker. She never showed signs of dementia. Her wit, warmth and clever sense of humor were as apparent as ever up until the morning she broke her hip.
People often wondered what Dee did to age so gracefully throughout her long and healthy life. Well, she ate bacon and sweets. Up until a few years ago, she even enjoyed an occasional drink.
When confronted with questions about her longevity, Dee pointed to her love for her family and to her faith. She figured the Lord must have had a reason — although, at times, she even wondered how and why she could possibly still be around in this ever-changing world. About two weeks ago, Auntie D told family that she knew where the gates of Heaven were, that she had seen the clouds part, and that she was not afraid.
She requested that her family be together to see her transition into her next life, and we honored her wish. We were gathered by her bedside laughing, crying, hugging, holding hands, praying, and yes, playing Sinatra and Dean Martin tunes. That evening, minutes after the family took leave of their all-day bedside vigil, Auntie Dee slipped away. She was finally ready to exit this world, peacefully and independently on her own terms, without fear of missing the fun of the ongoing bedside party.
In 2012, St. Mary’s honored Dolores on her 104th birthday during the parish’s centennial anniversary celebration. In 2014, Dolores received a commendation from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. In addition, Dolores and her family are subjects of interest in the book, The Hills West of El Toro. More recently, Dolores was featured in Legendary Locals of Los Gatos.
Dolores is survived by her loving nephews and their wives, John and Janet Juarez, Barry Schmitt and Kathleen Costello-Schmitt and Bill and Diane Schmitt, along with their families Dee’s friends, all of whom love, cherish and will miss her profoundly.
A Mass was held Feb 20, at St. Mary’s parish in Los Gatos. Charitable Contributions in honor of Auntie D can be made to Mt. Madonna YMCA, Senior Nutrition Program, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
