Dolores Zeta Douglass Duke, the middle child of the late Samuel Stuart Douglass and Roche Burgess Douglass, was born on April 24, 1928, at home, in Baltimore, MD.

Along with her brother, Stuart O’Neill Douglass, and sister, Shirley Douglass Stewart, she advanced through Baltimore’s school system, graduating from Douglass High School with honors. Dolores matriculated at Howard University College of Pharmacy.  While a student at Howard, Dolores was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.  After graduation in 1949, Dolores embarked on an illustrious career as a pharmacist.  

Her first position was at Freedman’s Hospital where she worked for several years and met her future husband, Leslie Dowling Duke, M.D.  Dolores and Leslie married on January 26, 1957, and welcomed their first child, Leslie Dowling Duke, Jr., into the world on Christmas Day that same year.    In the summer of 1962, Lori Allison Duke joined her brother to complete their family. Dolores decided to devote the next several years to being a stay-at-home mom to nurture her children full-time.

Dolores resumed her career as Director of Pharmacy at the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.  Several years later, she moved to become the Director of Pharmacy at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, DC. While there, she also supervised internships for Howard University Pharmacy students. She retired in 1991, allowing her plenty of time to spoil her grandchildren.

Dolores loved to play bridge, socialize, entertain, and travel.  Several days a week were filled with a bridge game with Club Nine, The Kards, The Key Bridgers, or a game of Pinochle with The Pinochle Club. The other days were filled with socializing with The Drifters, Delta Girls (DGs), Modern Grandmothers (MGs), or Washington, DC Circle-Lets, Incorporated.   She especially looked forward to the Circle-Lets’ Annual Conclaves.  She was known for hosting delightful and delicious soirees and family gatherings.

In addition to having fun, Dolores always made time to give back to her community.  She continued to be an active member of her sorority and was a Charter Member of the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was also a troop leader for Girl Scouts for many years. Dolores became a member of the Silver Spring (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated in 1981, and achieved the status of Platinum Member in 2012.  Additional community and civic organizations in which she had membership were the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association and Wider Opportunities for Women.

Along with Leslie and her children in tow, Dolores drove across the country numerous times, touring all lower 48 states, while traveling to the National Medical Association Conventions every summer.  On romantic getaways, Dolores and Leslie flew to Hawaii, cruised to Alaska on the QE2, and took weekend jaunts to The Greenbrier. She traveled abroad with her close friends to Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

A devout member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, her faith was a cornerstone of her existence, guiding her through various phases of her life. Dolores was married at St. Luke's and her children were christened and confirmed at St. Luke’s.   She joined The Order of the Daughters of the King while at St. Luke’s, pledging herself to a life of prayer, service, and evangelism.  Now, we celebrate her well-lived life, and bid her farewell at St. Luke’s. 

On Monday, July 29, 2024, at the age of 96, Dolores entered peacefully into eternal rest, joining her husband, Leslie D. Duke, MD.

Dolores leaves behind a legacy of love survived by her sister, Shirley D. Stewart; children, Leslie D. Duke, Jr. and Lori A. Duke; son-in-law, Tracy Scott Roberts; grandchildren, Adam Duke Roberts, Malik Douglass Roberts, and Jasmine Rae Roberts; cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and a host of friends.