Delores Y. Fields, 78, longtime resident of St. Maries, died Dec. 9, 2011, in St. Maries.

She was born Jan. 26, 1933, to Thomas and Ollie (Cox) Prince at Indiahoma, Okla. She moved to New Mexico with her parents when she was 7 years old before moving to Kalamath Falls, Ore.

She began her schooling at Brownsville, Texas, before moving to St. Maries in 1947. She married Ralph Fields on May 31, 1949, at Coeur d'Alene. They made their home at St. Maries. She raised her family and operated a paper route before working as a cook at Pat and Scotts Restaurant. She later worked at the Parkline Restaurant as a cook. Delores also drove Kiefer Bus Lines between St. Maries and Spokane before driving school buses for the St. Maries School District. Delores worked off and on between driving school bus and working at the Parkline until Ed and Maxine Fecko closed the restaurant in 2004.

Delores was a member of TOPS Club No. 63 and enjoyed many good times with her friends in the organization. She was Queen runner-up for the State of Idaho in TOPS in 1997. She wrote in her biography that she worked a lot of places in her lifetime and like Will Rogers, she "never met a person she didn't like or had a boss she didn't like."

Delores enjoyed camping and fishing trips, barbecue's and family reunions. She enjoyed hosting holiday dinners and birthday parties for family and friends. Her other hobbies included bowling, gardening, woodworking, crocheting and reading. Her favorite places were in the woods, near lakes or rivers and her trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Lake Wallowa, Canada, and Mexico when she was younger. Her favorite restaurant was Red Lobster. She also went on to write in her biography that, "I was Jack of all trades but master of none. I want each and everyone that ever crossed my path to know that I loved you and cherished each moment. You made me who I am and don't forget all the corny jokes."

Delores was a member of the Church of Christ, in St. Maries.

Her recent years were spent being a caregiver to her loving husband at home.

Delores is survived by her husband Ralph at the family home. Her daughter and son-in-law Carlene and Tom Coit, of Hayden, and step-daughter Judy Kuntz, of Newman Lake. Also surviving are five grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by son Russel G. Fields in 2009, and two brothers.

Her funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries, with Minister Larry Rude officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with a gathering of family and friends following at the St. Maries Eagles Lodge. Visit her online memorial at www.hodgefuneralhome.com.