Dolores Stafford

Dolores “Dolly” Stafford

Black Horse Stable

Hillsborough, N.J.

Dolores Stafford, 74, died Sunday, April 22 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Mount Carmel, Pa. on December 17, 1932 to Edward and Evelyn Stafford and spent the first half of her life on the road across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in the circus before settling in Hillsborough in the early 60’s.

Dolly led a colorful life punctuated by tragedy. Her father Edward emigrated to the U.S from Ireland via Australia at the turn of the century, and trained animal acts for circuses. Dolly grew up in the spotlight with dogs, ponies, chimps, and horses from a very early age. She was most notable in the circus world for her work with “Liberty” horses, a team of six black horses who worked by cue and voice command without any physical restraint, thus the term “liberty” or free. She also had a powerful singing voice and was invited to sing the national anthem at many events, and was the first to be asked to play the role of Darla on “The Little Rascals” but her father would not allow it. At one point, one of her babysitters was actor Burt Lancaster.

When her beloved father died suddenly in 1946, Dolly stopped long enough in St. Louis, Mo. to get her driver’s license at 14, and her mother Evelyn her first license at 44, and together with Dolly’s younger sister Eileen, carried on the circus act driving enormous trucks filled with animals across the continent. They appeared on many early television variety shows including Ed Sullivan, and took great pride in performing for American troops at military bases, and worked with many celebrities including a young Elvis Presley.

In the early 60’s, the three women decided to reluctantly leave the road and established Black Horse Stable, dedicated to training horses and teaching people to work with them, though they continued to travel, attending horse shows across the eastern seaboard. While Dolly did work with the horses, her first passion always remained dogs, and she bred, raised, and showed various breeds throughout her life. In 1969, she and Eileen were hit head-on by a drunk driver and her neck was broken, shattering two vertebrae. Typically, she cared for her injured sister until help arrived despite the devastating injury. Experimental surgery and treatment saved her life and avoided paralysis, but she was not allowed to ride or work extensively with horses the rest of her life.

In the 80’s, Eileen became involved in township government and politics, and Dolly was a tireless advocate, aide and supporter throughout. Dolly was a member of professional associations and clubs too numerous to list, and used her strength of character to help both people and animals in need. She had a prodigious memory and could name every animal and person she ever met as well as every theater and arena her family ever worked in.

In 1992, Dolly lost her mother Evelyn, and her sister Eileen, deputy mayor of Hillsborough at the time, within two months of each other. At this point Dolly retired and became semi-reclusive, leaving the operation of Black Horse to her two sons, Arthur and Sean. To the end she enjoyed telling stories of life on the road and was a walking repository of early 20 century Americana. Much history is lost with her. She took great joy late in life in her two toy fox terriers, Batman and Robin, who accompanied her everywhere.

Dolly is predeceased by her father Edward and mother Evelyn, daughter-in-law Christine, and her beloved sister Eileen from whom she was inseparable. She is survived by her two sons, Arthur Stafford Taylor, and Sean Thomas Taylor, both of Hillsborough, and her beloved companions, Batman and Robin. Also surviving is her dear cousin Janet Burger who spent much time caring for her in her final three years.

Arrangements are by Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ and are private. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

A memorial service will be planned and announced at a future date. Donations in Dolly’s name may be sent to the North Shore Animal League or any humane organization that does not euthanize. A full retrospective of Dolly’s colorful life and family will be posted at www.blackhorsestable.com in the near future.