Dolores Ruth Windsor

Dolores Ruth Windsor, a beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, at the KC Hospice House after a brief illness and rapid decline in health. Born on July 6, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri to Alfred and Pauline (Koehler) Mattmann, Dolores’s 93 years were marked by a zest for life, boundless warmth, and a spirit that touched all who knew her.

Dolores grew up in St. Louis, where she graduated from Beaumont High School. She married Edward Harris Windsor Jr. on March 5, 1955, in a heartfelt ceremony led by a female minister in their hometown. Together, Dolores and Edward shared 58 years of marriage, residing in St. Louis, Florissant, and later Raytown, Missouri. While they shared a deep and abiding connection, they were also a fun and feisty couple, often lovingly bantering back and forth about any subject, much to the entertainment of those around them. Together, they created a warm and welcoming home, open to everyone and often filled to the brim with neighbors and friends.

Her career was as diverse and vibrant as her personality. Dolores contributed her skills and dedication to esteemed organizations including the Federal Reserve, Frisco Railroad in St. Louis, Franklin Oil, and Longview Community College in Kansas City. Her expertise was also demonstrated at home, where she religiously balanced her checkbook every month "to the penny" and was a stickler about expenses and managing her budget. Yet, it was her remarkable personality beyond her professional life that made her truly unforgettable.

A true food connoisseur, Dolores had an unparalleled love for cooking, enjoying meals, and the delightful conversations that surrounded all things food. Her passion for food was matched by an array of hobbies: swimming alongside Johnny Weissmuller, the original Tarzan; the exhilaration of the High Dive; the camaraderie and competition of softball, bowling and Meramec Caverns' traveling basketball team; and spirited girl trips that fostered lifelong friendships. Her commitment to community service was evident in her active participation with the American Business Women’s Association and the Wildwood Lakes Association, where she served as secretary and newsletter writer, continually enriching the lives of her neighbors.

Her daughters, Cara Lynn Windsor of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Christa Ann Windsor of Raytown, Missouri, will carry forward the light she shone into their lives. Dolores was also an adoring grandmother to Logan Windsor Potter, who, along with his father Matthew Potter and grandparents Sam and Nancy Potter, share in the deep loss felt by this extraordinary matriarch. Extending her family’s circle of love, she leaves behind nephews Patrick (Phyllis) Mattmann Jr. and Mark (Jo Anne) Mattmann, who fondly remember her infectious humor and generous heart. Even Red, the neighborhood feral cat she lovingly adopted, bore witness to her nurturing spirit.

Dolores was a character whose laughter and quick wit could brighten the dullest day. She loved to “cause a bit of trouble” with a well-timed “zinger” and wasn’t afraid to belt out songs with a voice uniquely her own—a mix between Ethel Merman and Edith Bunker—that filled the room with warmth if not pitch-perfect melodies. Her children's memories of being pulled to school by a sled in the winter and a wagon in warmer months echo the playful, loving environment she created. Her mischievous sense of humor was legendary, exemplified by recalling how she once put a bra on her teenage daughter in the middle of a department store, bursting into laughter at the absurdity of it all. Even into her later years, she embraced life’s small rebellions—sneaking cigarettes after "quitting" and enjoying drinks with girlfriends despite her diabetes, an act of joyful defiance and companionship.

Dolores’s family history is one she valued deeply; predeceased by her husband Edward Harris Windsor Jr., her parents Alfred and Pauline Mattmann, and her brothers Patrick Mattmann Sr. and Edgar Alfred “Suzzy” Mattmann, alongside Mary Furlow Mattmann Dunn, Patrick’s wife. Their memories remain woven into the fabric of her story, cherished and honored through the generations.

Her life was a beautiful melody of laughter, love, mischief, and care—qualities that will forever resonate with those lucky enough to have known her. Dolores Ruth Windsor was not just a friend to many; she was loyalty personified, a beacon of warmth, and a testament to living life fully and fearlessly.

As we bid farewell to Dolores, we hold close the memories of a remarkable woman whose vibrant spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love continue to inspire and comfort us all. May her soul rest peacefully, embraced by the same love and joy she so freely gave.

Dolores's daughters wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to friends, family, neighbors and relatives who have called to check on Mom and have kept her spirits up during the past several weeks and months. She is at peace now.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dolores can be made to City Union Mission, 1100 E 11th St, Kansas City, MO 64106. https://cityunionmission.org

A Celebration of Life will be held at Saddle Creek Stables & Vineyard on July 11, 2026 from 4pm to 10 pm. Family and friends are welcome. https://www.saddlecreekhorses.net/

Cremation was in the care of Valor-Brown Funeral Services. A private family gathering and burial will take place at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.