Dolores "Dolly" Cocking

Dolores “Dolly” Cocking (1934-2022)

Dolores “Dolly” Cocking of Trenton, Michigan, unexpectedly departed from us on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at the age of 88. Beloved wife of the late Lloyd Lee Cocking. Cherished mother of Valerie (Julie Haan) Osowski, Renay (Frank Hackett) Ivens, and Marty (Maria Cooper) Cocking. Proud grandmother of Jacob Cocking. Loving sister of Ron (Carol) Mott, Linda Collins, and Michelle Dalton. Dolly was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Beatrice Mott.

Dolly was a kind, compassionate, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. The love for her family was deep and genuine. Dolly was known for her generous nature, the knack of creating special moments to recognize others’ achievements, as well as celebrating birthdays and other holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas, where an “extra place” at the table could always be expected and offered.

Her character, qualities and attributes shined through in her numerous contributions she provided to/at Faith United Methodist Church (Trenton, MI).

As a committed parishioner, Dolly spent years singing in the church choir, taught children’s Sunday school classes, and was active with the United Methodist Women, which most notably included the Annual Holiday Bazaar where her jewelry creations and hand-made cards were anticipated best sellers.

Dolly’s mission work was driven by her unwavering passion to help wipe out hunger, locally and in other regions of the World. She leaves a remarkable legacy through her oversight and administration of numerous Hunger Programs including “Sock it to Hunger”; the “Heifer Project”; Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas food/gift boxes for local families in need; and, the annual St. Phillip Food Pantry drive. These initiatives blessed countless lives of individuals and families for more than 40-plus years. Dolly’s happiness was always predicated on her service to those less fortunate.

She will be deeply missed by her loving family, numerous friends, and all whose lives she touched.

The following poem, “If Tears Could Build a Stairway” , reflects her family’s sentiments at this melancholic time:

“If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, we would walk right up to Heaven and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it and only God knows why.

Our hearts still ache in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you no one can ever know.

But now we know that you want us to mourn for you no more, to remember all the happy times, life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten we pledge to you today, a hallowed place within our hearts is where you'll always stay.”

~Author Unknown

Dolly’s final wishes have been entrusted to the Trenton Chapel of The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes located at 3200 West Road, Trenton, MI 48183. Dolores’s (“Dolly’s”) children, Valerie, Renay and Marty wish to extend an open invitation to all those who wish to pay tribute to their dear departed Mother. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Faith United Methodist Church (2530 Charlton Rd, Trenton, MI 48183). The service will commence at 11:00am and will be immediately followed by a soup and salad luncheon in Compton Hall (located at the Church) where the honoring and remembrance of Dolly shall be hosted and continued.

Donations, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, can be made to the Hunger Program at and made payable to Faith United Methodist Church (“Hunger Program/Dolly Cocking” in memo section of draft). Send donations to:

Faith United Methodist Church

Attn: Laura Trosien/Hunger Program

2530 Charlton

Trenton, MI 48183

Please visit Dolly’s online obituary to share memories and leave condolences for her family.