Doris Anne Rowray (Crowley)
September 3, 1929 — September 3, 2012
Doris Anne Crowley (Rowray) was born September 3, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred and Francis Crowley (Mcelhaney). She died in Mercy Hospice on her 83rd birthday, September 3, 2012. Services: 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 7, 2012, at the River of Life Ministries, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Charles Ron Rafferty.
She married Norman Carl Rowray on February 14, 1948. They lived on a rural Solon acreage since 1979. Doris loved to go see Dr. Casino weekly with her friends and she was happy to pull the slot handle as much as necessary to cure whatever was bothering her. She retired from K-Mart west in 1987, as a merchandise manager.
Doris spent 64 wonderful years with Norm and they raised four kids together. She was the best mom ever. She could sing away nightmares, talk her kids out of doing stupid stuff and make them think it was their idea, and if all else failed, she could lay on a guilt trip that would bring the most stubborn teen to their knees. She could pack a camper for a week in an hour and cook a meal after working a 10 hour day and still have time to smack a baseball around the front yard. Doris enjoyed her retirement and spent time watching old westerns and her favorite, Shirley Temple movies. She worked on crosswords and liked engaging in conversation with neighbors, old friends and grandkids.
Doris Anne, with her passing, is leaving behind a legacy of family love and gentle humor. She is survived by the love of her life and husband, Norman Rowray; her children, Carol (Ron) Rafferty of DeWitt, Iowa, James (Terri) Rowray of Shepherdsville, Kentucky and Jennifer (Rita) Rowray of Newhall, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Janice Rowray of Cedar Falls, Iowa; her grandchildren, Kevin (Jacque) Rowray of Anamosa, Iowa, Jeremy Rowray of Waverly, Iowa, Rachael Rowray of Huntsville, Alabama, Shane Rafferty of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Kayla, Robbie, Corbin and DJ DeVenney of Newhall, Iowa, Alysia and Tabitha Rowray of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; and by her great grandchildren, Blake Rowray of Waterloo, Iowa, Levi Lefebure of Fairfax, Iowa, Gaige Rafferty of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Susan Jean and Larry Giannini of Carol Stream, Illinois, Billy Jim and Judy Robison of Tiffin, Iowa, Steve Crowley of Delhi, Iowa; Eleanor and Leon King of Lake City, Florida and Bob and Bev Hanson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Gerald Crowley and George Crowley; her son, Dennis Rowray; and grandson, Christopher Rowray.
In lieu of flowers, please donate money in Doris’ name to Hospice or your favorite charity.
Our family would like to sincerely thank Mercy Hospice for their kindness and attention during mom’s stay there.
Dad and Mom shared a true love – a love that lasted this lifetime and will last into the next.
She married Norman Carl Rowray on February 14, 1948. They lived on a rural Solon acreage since 1979. Doris loved to go see Dr. Casino weekly with her friends and she was happy to pull the slot handle as much as necessary to cure whatever was bothering her. She retired from K-Mart west in 1987, as a merchandise manager.
Doris spent 64 wonderful years with Norm and they raised four kids together. She was the best mom ever. She could sing away nightmares, talk her kids out of doing stupid stuff and make them think it was their idea, and if all else failed, she could lay on a guilt trip that would bring the most stubborn teen to their knees. She could pack a camper for a week in an hour and cook a meal after working a 10 hour day and still have time to smack a baseball around the front yard. Doris enjoyed her retirement and spent time watching old westerns and her favorite, Shirley Temple movies. She worked on crosswords and liked engaging in conversation with neighbors, old friends and grandkids.
Doris Anne, with her passing, is leaving behind a legacy of family love and gentle humor. She is survived by the love of her life and husband, Norman Rowray; her children, Carol (Ron) Rafferty of DeWitt, Iowa, James (Terri) Rowray of Shepherdsville, Kentucky and Jennifer (Rita) Rowray of Newhall, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Janice Rowray of Cedar Falls, Iowa; her grandchildren, Kevin (Jacque) Rowray of Anamosa, Iowa, Jeremy Rowray of Waverly, Iowa, Rachael Rowray of Huntsville, Alabama, Shane Rafferty of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Kayla, Robbie, Corbin and DJ DeVenney of Newhall, Iowa, Alysia and Tabitha Rowray of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; and by her great grandchildren, Blake Rowray of Waterloo, Iowa, Levi Lefebure of Fairfax, Iowa, Gaige Rafferty of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Susan Jean and Larry Giannini of Carol Stream, Illinois, Billy Jim and Judy Robison of Tiffin, Iowa, Steve Crowley of Delhi, Iowa; Eleanor and Leon King of Lake City, Florida and Bob and Bev Hanson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Gerald Crowley and George Crowley; her son, Dennis Rowray; and grandson, Christopher Rowray.
In lieu of flowers, please donate money in Doris’ name to Hospice or your favorite charity.
Our family would like to sincerely thank Mercy Hospice for their kindness and attention during mom’s stay there.
Dad and Mom shared a true love – a love that lasted this lifetime and will last into the next.
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