Anna L. (Keiffer) Dolen

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Anna Dolen, who passed away on July 10th, 2024 at the age of 91.

Born on November 24, 1932, she grew up in Zanesville and later moved to Nashport. She was a dedicated and loving wife to her late husband Perry Dolen, and a devoted mother to her 10 children.

Anna had a passion for cooking and baking, and with feeding a family of 12 she was used to serving large meals.

When her kids got older, she became a cook at Bethesda Hospital and was there for over 20 years. She catered many holiday parties and fed hundreds of patients and visiting families each day. She was lovingly referred to as “Mom” by many of her coworkers. She became part of their families as they had weddings and welcomed babies and grand babies as well. She was a friend to so many and loved what she did.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and after retiring was able to babysit most of them. She would spend hours at their school programs and could be found on the sidelines cheering at all of their sporting events. This continued as her great grandchildren arrived and she loved seeing them grow up and adored spending time with them. She enjoyed reading books and would stay awake for hours finishing a good book. She loved

doing word search puzzles and adult coloring books to pass the time.

Anna was a kind and generous soul, always putting others’ needs before her own. Her love and compassion extended to all those who knew her, and she will be remembered for her infectious smile and warm personality. She worried not only about her kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but all of their friends and extended families too. She had the biggest heart of anyone we knew and would do anything she could for anyone without hesitation. She was truly an angel on earth. She earned her wings long before she went to heaven.

She is survived by her 10 children, Dick (Kathy) Dolen, Bob (Theresa) Dolen, Joyce Wilson, Carol (Brad) Notestone, Linda (Randy) Grubb, Billie (Dean) Brown, Tom (Cheryl) Dolen, and Martha Dolen. Her 13 grandchildren, Shawn, Mendie, Angel, Cory, Desirae, Alisha, Annie, Dylan, Matthew, Blane, Nicholas, Hayden, and Connor, and her great-grandchildren, Josie, Aubrey, Gigi, Hudson, Grace, Ali, Lucie, Lexie, Weston, Ava, Knox, Emma, Brielle, Riley, Emmitt, and Finley who will miss her dearly. She is also survived by her brothers Jimmy (Ann)

Keiffer and Homer Keiffer and lots of loving friends, including close friend Gayle Dolen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dick, two daughters, Mary Smith and Debbie Bryan, grandson Alan Dolen and her beloved fur baby Toby.

Friends and family may call 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME, 1271 BLUE AVENUE, ZANESVILLE where funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 18, 2024, with Pastor Chris Steele officiating. Anna will be laid to rest at Salem Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Dick.

Rest in peace beautiful and strong lady. You will forever be in our hearts and memories.

To send a note of condolence, order flowers or comfort food please: visit bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.org, follow us on Facebook, or call our professional staff at 740-452-4551.