Dolores Ivon Banks was born November 1, 1929, All Saints Day, in New Orleans, Louisiana. When very young, she went to live with her grandparents on the Southside of Chicago. However, she always stayed connected to her roots through delicious home cooked meals and trips back to the Crescent City.

She attended and graduated DuSable High School, and afterward became a telephone operator for AT&T. After entering the workforce, she married a fellow transplant from New Orleans, and they started a family.

After numerous promotions over 32 years, Dolores retired early from AT&T. Always wanting to keep busy, she went on to work as a receptionist for a naturopathic doctor, an assistant office manager, and a recordkeeper for Catholic Charities. She also volunteered in various roles at her local church, St. John de la Salle Catholic Church.

After becoming a grandmother, she visited her family in sunny Arizona often. An avid traveler, her wanderlust included trips to Egypt, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Italy, in addition to enjoying eight cruises across the globe!

Here in Chicago, she loved visiting and supporting cultural institutions such as The Art Institute, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After moving to The Breakers in 2018, she was happy to find a community of fellow arts and culture lovers, and cherished the friendships she formed there.

On February 27, 2024, Dolores was welcomed to the eternal Mardi Gras celebration by those who raised and loved her. As she throws beads from heaven, she is celebrated by her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends whose lives she impacted. C'est si bon!