Dolores Hope Passes Away

ET has learned that Dolores Hope, the widow of the legendary Bob Hope, died this morning at the age of 102.

Dolores was known as a dedicated wife and mother who spent many years of her life serving her husband as well as her children: Linda, Tony, Kelly and Nora. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and championing numerous charitable causes.

She was born Dolores DeFina on May 27, 1909 in New York City and was raised in the Bronx. After her father's death, she was raised by her mother, Theresa.

As a five-year-old, Dolores knew she wanted to be a singer and in the 1930s, she changed her name to Dolores Reade and began her professional singing career on the New York nightclub circuit. She continued to perform throughout her life and completed several albums.

It was after a performance in 1933 that Dolores met Bob -- at the time a young actor/comedian -- who had come to the show with a friend to "hear a pretty girl sing." The couple married in 1934 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Throughout her life she often joined her husband onstage to entertain U.S. troops around the world.

Dolores had received many humanitarian awards and had seven Honorary Doctorates. She helped her husband celebrate his 100th birthday on May 29, 2003, just two months before his death.