Dolores Hope, Widow Of Legendary Comedian Bob Hope, Dies At 102

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Dolores Hope, the widow of legendary comedian Bob Hope, has died at age 102.

Hope died around noon at her Toluca Lake home, according to family spokesman Harlan Boll.

During the 1930s, Dolores DeFina began her professional singing career under the name Dolores Reade on the advice of her agent. In 1933, after appearing at the Vogue Club, a Manhattan nightclub, Reade was introduced to Bob Hope. The couple were married on February 19, 1934 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They later adopted four children from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois: Eleanora, Linda, Kelly and Anthony.

In the 1940s, Dolores began helping her husband on his tours, entertaining U.S. troops overseas. She continued to entertain for over 50 years. In 1990, she was the only female entertainer allowed to perform in Saudi Arabia.

At age 83, she recorded her first compact disc, "Dolores Hope: Now and Then." She also recorded a Christmas CD with Bob Hope called "Hopes For The Holidays."

Dolores DeFina Hope is survived by her children Linda Hope of Toluca Lake, California, William Kelly Hope of Oakland, California, and her grandchildren, Zachary Hope, Miranda Hope, Andrew Hope Lande and great-grandson Kai Smith.

A private service and burial will be at the Bob Hope Memorial Garden, San Fernando Mission - next to Bob.