Mrs. Marie Ellen (Grant) Dooley

November 27, 1929 - January 1, 2021

NEW YORK MILLS - Mrs. Marie Ellen (Grant) Dooley, age 91, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Friday, January 1, 2021 in the comfort and dignity of her home. Born in Utica on November 27, 1929, Marie was the daughter of the late Agnes Lillie Stacks and John Grant. She also knew the love and guidance of her step-father Judson Stacks. She was a graduate of Utica Free Academy/Class of 1947 and during her life, she was active with her class reunions until the wonderful celebration of her 60th Alumni reunion at Harts Hill Inn. On August 12, 1950 she married Michael P. “Pat” Dooley with whom she shared 53 years in a union graced with great devotion. They were always together, and Pat was her one and only. Their love never died, …even after her beloved passed away on January 11, 2004. While her children were young, she was a stay-at-home mom, and when they reached school-age, she entered the workforce as a secretary at Disposable Products, and later at Duxbak as an Administrative Assistant to the late President, Gilbert Jones. Her work ethic, personality, and dedication endeared her to him. In 1983 she was involved in a life altering automobile accident which resulted in her unexpected retirement. Marie was the matriarch and mainstay that kept the Dooleys together. She was an amazing woman who was filled with gratitude that she was blessed to have 3 generations of offspring to love. She was so expressive of her feelings that she never ended a phone call or FaceTime without saying “I Love You”. She babysat her grandchildren, attired them, played games and card games, and did anything their little hearts desired. She was ready, willing, and able! As a big family, they gathered no matter how hectic. Fun was to be had, card games played, and cook-outs eaten. No holiday was excluded! All family members were welcome, and, …once you were married into the family, you were loved forever. As a QVC ‘Queen of Cosmetics and Jewelry”, she was well-attired and adorned with her signature red lipstick. She took pride in her appearance and took ownership of dozens of pairs of shoes in a variety of footwear stacked up appealingly to match with her handbags and coordinate with her clothing. She was gracious, always gifting and giving treasures, big and small, always wrapped with love. She was a member of the New York Mills Senior Center where she participated in all the activities. She played dominoes, and with the gals at her building, she was a proficient pitch player, and all-around card shark! Bingo captured her time and games of chance came her way, and she had good luck! She enjoyed bowling, not only as a pastime with her kids, but also as a league player with her husband at the Sunset and Pin-O-Rama bowling lanes for many years. Together, the family traveled and camped in the Adirondacks, lastly at their camp at Fish Creek that flows into Oneida Lake. Her journey to Ireland in 1979 with her husband was a memorable trip, one not to be forgotten. They also wintered in Cocoa Beach in Florida where they made many Northern friends who also diverted to a Southern climate to escape the cold weather of the North. Marie was a member of the Catholic Community of Whitesboro at St. Paul’s Church and a devout Catholic. She recited the Rosary and Mass was important to her. She made her way to St. Paul’s Church via her scooter, and if not, she viewed Sunday Mass on the television. Her greatest joy was derived from her children and the close relationship she had with them. They each had a special day with her, and they were never more than a phone call away. They all felt so blessed. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her heart and she didn’t want to miss a thing! So, she became a Facebook gal, proficient with a Tablet and her cell phone, just to keep in touch. She would text and call, just to check in. It was a beautiful synergy to behold! Marie is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Maureen and David A. Scarlino, and Maribeth Canter; her sons and daughter-in-law, Michael P. Dooley Jr., Shawn and Michelle Dooley. She held close to her heart the memory of her daughter Kathleen M. “Kathie” Kunkel (October 31, 2009), son-in-law Kenneth J. “Kenny” Kunkel (November 29, 2018), and son-in-law Charles G. Canter (October 18, 2019); her grandchildren, Jennifer and Robert Veitch, Jeffrey and Jennifer Kunkel; David Scarlino, Derek Scarlino, and Ryan Scarlino; Shannon, and Caitlyn Dooley; and Justin and Jessica Dooley; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Veitch; Jameson Kunkel; and twin boys Blake Thomas and Bentley James Dooley; and her sister, Marilyn Stacks. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins; in-laws, William Dooley, Marilyn Richards, and Shirley Dooley; lifelong friend Emily Eberhard who kept a bond for over 70 years; as well as her brother-in-law Bill Dooley and sister-in-law Marilyn Richards who also remained close across the years. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, William and Hester Bitteker. The family is grateful to David Campola/NP who Marie trusted and appreciated for his kindness and compassion; Karen Dooley, her former daughter-in-law with whom she shared a truly special relationship and who was always available for Marie and Pat. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Marie’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Friday morning, January 8, 2021 at 11:30 at the Catholic Community of Whitesboro at St. Paul’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Social distancing and registration for contact tracing will be implemented. Also, a mask covering your nose and mouth will be required. Memorial donations in Marie’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org or by mail to 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will be available at the service. Interment will take place privately in St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Marie’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.