Obituary: Dolan, Mary Louise
Age 89
She was a much loved and devoted wife and mother to five children, four of them boys, and later a grandmother to nine, including seven boys, and great-grandmother to 15 children so far.
Her overflowing love, compassion, wisdom and generosity will be missed by all of them, and by her many friends.
Mary was born to Ezra and Lavina Hazen in Pendleton, Oregon on December 29, 1924.
Her father worked as a railroad station conductor in several cities and towns along the Columbia River while she was growing up, including in Hood River where Ezra was buried in 1962.
She lived for a time in Arlington just across the street from Doc Severinsen, who would later lead the Tonight Show band.
Her mother, a licensed nurse, was laid to rest in Pendleton not far from Mary’s only sibling, David Hazen, who passed away in northeast Oregon in 1989.
Possessing a powerful, perfect pitch soprano voice, Mary was urged by many friends to pursue a career in opera.
However she decided instead to follow in her mother’s footsteps, earning her nursing diploma from Sacred Heart in Spokane in October, 1946.
Exactly one year later, she married Phil, whom she met while they both rented apartments in a building near Gonzaga University, where Phil earned his law degree after serving overseas during World War II.
Phil and Mary’s first son, Stephen, arrived in 1949, followed by James in 1950, Timothy in 1953, and David in 1955.
Their only daughter Anne was born six years later at the end of 1960.
Mary quickly turned her medical skills from the hospital to her home as she tenderly cared for her children, especially Anne who was born with special needs.
She was known for her excellent cooking, easygoing manner, her compassion, and her high standards in all that she said and did.
In later years, Mary became one of the Seattle Mariners most loyal fans, whether they won or lost.
She joined her late husband in giving generously to many organizations, including Gonzaga, the Kootenai Medical Heart Center and Special Olympics, and always proffered a warm smile and a listening ear.
She loved gardening, the Spokane Symphony, any shopping opportunity, and her family’s mountain cabin on Spirit Lake.
Until the very end of her nearly nine decades on earth, Mary was happily conversing with her family and friends, passing peacefully at a local hospice house soon after midnight on May 10th.
The visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. followed by a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the YATES FUNERAL HOME, COEUR D’ALENE CHAPEL.
The Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2014 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.
A reception will follow the Mass at the St. Thomas Parish Center.
The graveside committal will be 3:00 p.m. Friday in Greenwood Cemetery at Spirit Lake, ID.
You may visit Mary’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.