Dolores L. Caldwell

Dolores L. Patterson Caldwell was born on October 17, 1927, to Dorothy and Edward H.
Patterson, Jr. in Mount Vernon, NY. Sandwiched in between her brothers Johnnie and
Horace, Dolores was always “the Boss.” At the tender age of seven, Dolores lost her mom
and was raised with her siblings by her maternal grandmother, Lucy Robinson, who taught
her the ins and outs of money management, investing and navigating the world. She was
educated in the Mount Vernon School System and graduated from A.B. Davis High School
where she was an active member in the Our Town Club.
After high school, Dolores worked part-time in Harlem at the Madame Lillian Mail Order
Company and started her first and only full-time job at the Westchester Lighting Company,
which later became Consolidated Edison Company. She started as an elevator operator and
rose through the ranks of the organization as a Switch Board Operator, Telephone Account
Representative, Supervisor, District Office Manager and her final position as Administrator
of Urban Affairs in the Westchester Public Affairs office. These positions took her from
Mount Vernon to Manhattan, Yonkers and White Plains. Dolores retired in 1987 after 40+
years of dedicated service with Con Edison.
Dolores married the love of her life and best friend, Raymond Caldwell, in June of 1979.
They loved to travel and host grand holiday parties. Their parties were the talk of the
holiday season and everyone left with a special gift, a full belly and dancing in the feet.
Ray and Dee’s love was infectious and served as an inspiration for many younger couples
who took notes over conversations in the breakfast nook. They lived and loved life together.
Dolores continued to travel and host smaller scale events even after Ray’s death in 2000.
Dolores’ work with Con Edison, her dedication to community service and the development
of leaders within her community allowed her to serve as a mentor, executive coach and
political strategist to countless individuals throughout the region. Dolores was a quiet and
behind-the-scene support. She spent countless hours and years hosting strategy sessions in
her home with David Ford, former Chairman of the Mount Vernon City Democratic
Committee, and M. Paul Redd, founder of the Westchester County Press. She also had a
true passion for the arts and made every effort to introduce generations of her family and
young professionals to the arts. Some of her mentees have gone on to serve in leadership
positions in local and state elected offices and with multinational corporations. Others serve
as business owners in the private sector, leaders of not-for-profit organizations and
physicians. Her quiet and consistent support, wisdom and loving but stern demeanor made
an indelible impact on those she mentored and continues to have rippling impacts. Her life
lessons and pearls of wisdom are timeless.

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