Joanne Dolan, 94, of Prairie Grove, AR, passed away Monday, August 30, 2021 at her home. She was born June 22, 1927 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Harold and Mildred Julia Myers Whitinger.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved stepfather, Earle Woodhall; her husband, Robert W. Dolan; and a brother, Donald Whitinger.
Joanne moved to northwest Arkansas in January 1971 from Ft. Sill, OK. She was a stay-at-home Army wife during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. Joanne was an excellent letter writer with beautiful penmanship. She loved the countryside. She was a member of Our Lady of the Ozarks Shrine, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Strickler Quilting Group and taught special education at Springdale and Greenland Schools. She was also a member of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She is survived by her children, Robert W. Dolan, Jr and wife, Barbara of Prairie Grove, Michael Dolan and wife, Katherine of Cour D’Alene, Idaho, Luke Dolan and wife, Deneice of Winslow, William Dolan and wife, Christine of Fayetteville, Moira Dolan of Prairie Grove, Maeve Courtreau and partner, Richard of Elkins, Genevieve Cohn and husband, David of Bellingham, Washington, Jeanne Dolan of Hot Springs, Meaghean Vance and husband, Britt of Jenks, OK and Megan and Jodie Field, both of Alexandria, Virginia; 22 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A special thanks to her friends and caregivers Cathy Foley and Stormy Ellison.
A memorial mass will be held at 9:30 AM Saturday, October 16, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Her cremains may be visited in the auxiliary chapel at the church until the service date.
Mom so loves Dad. His loss ten years ago she only could ease by saying :
” I just imagine that he is deployed and he will be coming home.”
Of course she had to go TO Dad. And she wanted to launch from the home they helped build together after they raised us nine kids.
Her oldest daughter took the lions share of support for many years and
Mom was fairly independent until July 7 of this year. After that, her living way out in the country required 24/7 care. Though it’s what she wanted it kinda took a village to do it.
Thank you, each one who made that possible:
Her children and grandchildren listed above of course
Her dear friend Kathy Foley,
toward the end Stormy Ellison,
Fr. Alex Smith’s home visit helped keep the focus.
and the innumerable prayers and best wishes of neighbors and others— the kindness of even the unnamed support people who were so gentle and helpful.
With a special thanks to Circle of Life Hospice who were swift to respond with complete mercy and effectiveness the moment we called them.
And a final thanks —-even if she never sees this— to Dr Kalyan’s nurse, Leslie, who saw the need to quickly secure that referral for hospice when Mom finally was ready to take to her bed and join with Dad in his “deployment “.
We will miss you Mom, but we all rest easy knowing you are truly home now.
Rest in peace Joanne. You are on your next journey. My heart is saddened today to hear of your passing but you are in God’s hands now.
So sorry for the loss of your mother God be with you. Love you