Obituaries
Obituary: Dolores McCracken, 65, Devoted Educator, PSEA President
Dolores McCracken, a former Council Rock staffer and PSEA president, devoted years to supporting educational initiatives across the state.
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Obituary via Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home
Dolores M. McCracken of Churchville, PA passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in Abington Hospice at Warminster with her husband Jack by her side. She was 65.
Born in Queens, NY to the late Hugh and Mary (Guarnera) Diamond, Dolores grew up in Philadelphia before moving to Churchville, PA 34 years ago.
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After working for several years as a paralegal, Dolores became involved in public education when her children entered elementary school and served as the president of the Churchville Elementary Home and School Association. She began working for the Council Rock School District in 1993 as a support staff member and during that time took an active role in PSEA. She served as the president of her local association, took on numerous leadership positions in her local PSEA region and statewide. Dolores served as president and vice president of the Council Rock Education Support Professionals Association and led efforts to negotiate local contracts and connect with the public.
A member of the PSEA ESP Board and PSEA Board of Directors from 2001 to 2011, she influenced PSEA decision-making at the highest levels, championing programs that improved salaries and working conditions for education support professionals.
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Dolores was elected as the first non-teacher in PSEA history when she became treasurer in 2011. She established the PSEA Education Foundation to support education initiatives across the state.
Elected PSEA Vice President in 2015, she became the first ESP member to serve as PSEA President. When she became President in 2017, Dolores focused heavily on legislation for school safety and reduced time spent on standardized testing.
She was the beloved wife of 40 years to Jack McCracken, Jr.; devoted mother of Jack McCracken, III and wife Suzanne, Kristin Ellenberger and husband Branden; dear sister of Cecilia Vassallo and husband Kurt, Ellen Stabler and husband Frank, and Catherine Diamond; loving grandmother of Dylan, Reese and Paige Ellenberger, and Logan McCracken; also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at the Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home, 344 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 on Saturday, November 17th at 3:00 pm. The family will receive their friends from 12:00-3:00 pm prior to the service at funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Dolores McCracken Memorial Education Fund, c/o First National Bank & Trust of Newtown, Attn: Mr. Kevin Dolton, 40 S. State Street, Newtown, PA 18940.
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