Dolores T. Jordan

SALEM – Ms. Dolores T. Jordan, lifelong resident of the City of Salem, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by love after celebrating her 97th birthday.

Born in Salem, Dolores was the daughter of the late Samuel and Veronica (Kempa) Jordan. She was raised and educated in Salem, growing up on Derby Street, residing in her cherished family home until her final days. She graduated from Salem High School in 1945, received her college education at Boston University as the first person in her family to earn a college degree, and went on to earn a Master’s in Education in 1960.

Her early, professional career landed her in Florida where she started her career in Physical Education before moving up to Vice Principal for a Junior High School in Hialeah, Florida. Dolores was a Salem girl through and through, and although she spent several years in Florida, she returned back to familiar roots, her Derby Street home in Salem to live with her sister Alice where she would continue to foster relationships until the time of her passing.

Over her 97 years, she witnessed historical changes all throughout the City of Salem and was a true inspiration to many. Dolores worked in communications for 17 years at the Peabody Essex Museum where every day she would make a new friend. Dolores was lovingly known as the “First Lady of Derby Street” and proudly worked with her sister, Alice, to have Derby Street designated as a historic district. She felt strongly about organizations that helped others and locally gave back, generously offering her time and money to the SAFE organization, the House of Seven Gables, Salem historical and neighborhood organizations, nature conservation groups and the St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy church.

For decades, she tended and cared for her beautiful gardens at her Derby Street home. The garden was her oasis and a calming and connecting place for many. Her nurturing hands transformed the space into a lush haven that reflected her vibrant personality and love for nature. Above all else, her Polish heritage and family were of utmost importance. She was the devoted daughter, supportive sister and loving aunt who truly was the glue of the family. She had a special way of making others feel seen and valued and will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.

Dolores is survived by her nephews, Hank Zielin and his wife, Gail of Setauket, NY; Stanley Zielin of Brooklyn, NY; and John Zielin and his partner, Leah Grant of Andover; dear friend, Brian Casey of Salem; and several great nieces and nephews. Dolores was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Sophie Zielin, Alice Jordan, Helen Jordan, Joseph Jordan and Stanley Jordan.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Dolores’ funeral Mass which will be held at St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 28 St. Peter Street, Salem, MA on Thursday, January 29th at 10:30 A.M followed by a reception which will be held at the Hawthorne Hotel immediately following the service from 12 (NOON) to 2 P.M. Please RSVP for the lunch below. Donations in Dolores' memory may be made to the Salem Alliance for the Environment (S.A.F.E) S.A.F.E or the Peabody Essex Museum PEM. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.