Ann Patricia Dooley

Ann Patricia “Pat” Dooley, age 88, passed away quietly on March 21, 2022. Pat was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to her parents William and Alyce. She is survived by her children, Patricia Dooley (Jim Darcy), Thomas (Debi) Dooley, Michael (Janice) Dooley, Kathleen (Calvin) Baxter, and her granddaughter Tiffany (Joel) Stewart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Dooley and her son and daughter-in-law James (Elaina) Dooley.

In her early life, difficult circumstances led her to a loving family (parents, Verner, Norma Nelson and her brothers, Ralph, Paul) who cared for her during her high school years. Even though they were of a different faith, they ensured that she was able to attend the Catholic Church. Her faith was important to her throughout her life.

After graduating high school, she moved to New York City by herself and attended St. Clare’s School of Nursing. During that time, she met the love of her life, Tim and they married shortly after graduation. They had five children and one grandchild who brought her great joy. Tim’s military career in the Navy meant that Pat found herself in a new locale every two to three years. She was the epitome of efficiency in preparing the family to move on to the next adventure, no small feat with five children. She was a force to reckon with, whether it was hand making Halloween costumes or attending her kids’ sporting events.

Her career as a registered nurse speaks to her giving and helping nature. She began her nursing career in the operating room and later specialized in intensive care. She worked as a home health administrator before retiring from nursing.

Her youngest son Jimmy died tragically in a military accident in 1988. Even though she and her family were shattered, she still managed to realize a lifetime goal of achieving a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 1989.

After her husband, Tim, passed away in 1995, Pat built a new life for herself focusing her energy on enjoying the arts, especially the Austin Symphony along with volunteering at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the American Association of University Women, and the Retired Officer’s Wives Club.

Pat said that life’s greatest joy is to love and be loved. Even as her life changed because of Alzheimer’s, she was still able to be a helper. She loved deeply and was so very loved. When it became a challenge to remember names, Pat would affectionately call her caregivers and nurses, “Cookie.” She helped one of her nurses studying for a higher nursing degree by reading her flashcards. Two nurses shared that they were better nurses after caring for her.

Pat was resilient and was able to give of herself in the most challenging of circumstances. All who knew Pat agreed that this was a testament to her feisty personality. In true fashion, she did not want to leave us in a rumble, so decided to gift us with a rainbow to be sure we would all remember her tender heart.

She delighted in sharing and reminiscing about her children’s shenanigans. While there are so many stories to be told, we can hear Pat saying with an eye roll, “Give your tongue a sleigh ride.”

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