No Change, Real Hope
When Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope passed away in 2003 reams of paper were used to eulogize the great man who traveled to the world's most dangerous places to entertain the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Today, about six paragraphs were dedicated to the passing of the woman he left behind.
Dolores Hope, aged 102, passed away Monday morning at home in Toluca Lake, CA.
Born Dolores DeFina in the Bronx, NY she was a talented singer in her own right. Taking the stage name of Dolores Reade, she sang in nightclubs and in the road show of a revue calleed Honeymoon Lane. While touring in the latter, her roommate Ginger Meehan was pursued by a young band singer from Spokane, Washington. And while that romance went nowhere Dolores would always boast that she had been singing with Bing Crosby long before her husband Bob found fame and fortune with him in the "Road" pictures.
She met Bob in 1933 and they were married a year later. They adopted four children and she retired from show business to raise her family. It wasn't easy being Mrs. Bob Hope. He was a man of both wanderlust and lustful wandering. His dalliances with young starlets on the Paramount lot and on his USO shows were no secret. She shared her famous husband with them and with her country.
A devoted Catholic, Dolores wouldn't have dreamed of divorce. She remained a loyal and loving wife until the end.
So, thanks for the memory
And strictly entre nous, darling how are you?
And how are all the little dreams that never did come true?
Aw'flly glad I met you, cheerio, and toodle-oo
And thank you so much.
Thanks, Dolores. Thank you so much.
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Comments :
Dec '10
Re: No Change, Real Hope
Sheesh, EJ. Ya' made me cry. What a beautiful tribute.
Jun '10
Re: No Change, Real Hope
Whatever she and Bob were doing to stay young as long as possible, it worked.
May '10
Re: No Change, Real Hope
Dolores Hope is a touching name, isn't it? Especially under the circumstances.
It's good to think of them reunited in eternity.
May '11
Re: No Change, Real Hope
I'm going to indulge myself a little here. I remember when Mr. Hope came to Saudi during Desert Storm. I was way to far away to attend but I do remember sitting in my humvee when my Lt. came up to me and saying "Bob Hope is giving his show tonight." My A gunner looked at me when LT left and said " Bob Hope's here.... We must be doing something important." Now learning that Delores has passed, I'm kissing my wife and going upstairs to cry.
Re: No Change, Real Hope
Beautifully felt and written. Thanks, E. J.