Dolores Cannon

Born with Sickle Cell, Dolores never let illness dim her passion for life. Instead, it strengthened her resolve to live fully and faithfully. She proudly served as a Lab Technician at UCSF Hospital for 35 years, building cherished relationships amongst coworker and patients as well as participating in the choir at UC singing praises throughout the hospital and other outside hospital events.

In the early 1970s, Dolores became a member of the Northern California Choir. During her time at Alameda College, she formed a lifelong friendship with the legendary Daryl Coley, and together they created the New Generation Singers. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s and to date, Dolores’ love for music never faded. She continued singing with choirs throughout the Bay Area and traveled and lived in Germany performing with Drew Ola Andres (playing the drums) and Black Gold (playing the piano), lifting her voice across continents.

At home, her piano was never quiet for long—her ear for music was unmatched, and she found joy in every note, tone, and octave. As she aged, her illness progressed, and dialysis became a part of her daily routine. Yet even then, she fought with courage, humor, and unwavering faith. She fought because she loved deeply, and she knew life still had meaning.