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Joyce Dooley Obituary
Glendale - Joyce K. Dooley entered this world on 10-8-50, in Glendale, Arizona. She was the first child of Georgia and Simon Houck.
Joyce lived her entire childhood in Glendale, AZ and graduated from Glendale High School. She received her Bachelor's in Arts Degree from Arizona State University in Elementary Education, and went on to acquire her Master of Arts Degree from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. She completed post graduate coursework from Ottawa University in reading.
Professionally, Joyce was well respected for her advocacy for students and adept knowledge in youth literacy. She ardently served the students of the Glendale Elementary School District as a librarian for 30 years. During that time she helped create a new middle grade library at Landmark School. Joyce also passionately served the Tohono O'odham Nation for the last 9 years of her career as a teacher of gifted students, a reading specialist, and a school principal briefly.
Joyce and her husband Bob Dooley lived the first 12 years of their marriage in Glendale, AZ and lived in Ajo, Arizona the last 16 years of her life. She positively impacted many lives regardless of where she resided.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 29 years, Bob Dooley, her three stepchildren, Sherry Jones of Las Vegas NV, Shannon Arnett of Surprise, AZ, and Spencer Dooley of Mesa, AZ. She is also survived by her parents Simon and Georgia Houck, her sister Paula Driver (Russell), niece Deanna Driver, nephew Derek Driver, granddaughter Zoe Arnett and multiple cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Joyce left us on January 6, 2019. She impacted many students and adults as a kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable soul. She will be missed beyond measure by all those who know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org), Southern Poverty Law Center (www.spIcenter.org) or ASPCA (aspca.org).
A Celebration of Joyce's Life will be held Saturday, January 12th at 2:00 pm. at Shadow Rock UCC Church-12861 N. 8th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Her reception is immediately following at Smith Hall on the Shadow Rock Campus.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Dooley
Debbie Hewitt-Frost
January 5, 2025
Joyce, you are missed very much. Hugs XOX
Tammy K
January 20, 2019
I am so saddened to here of Joyce's passing. I have many good memories of working with Joyce for seven years in the library at Landmark Middle School. We had a great working relationship and friendship. She was a caring, compassionate person who cared deeply for her students and others. My deepest condolences to her family. I know she will be greatly missed.
Eileen Nguyen
January 17, 2019
Joyce knew children's literature as a powerful vehicle for not only literacy, but themes such as Civil Rights and history. Bob, her spouse, began our school staff meetings by reading from powerful books which I am sure Joyce was instrumental in choosing. I met Joyce a few times at staff celebrations, and I remembered her because she was a very classy lady. Her sensitivity, tact, and graciousness was truly that of a royal person. I can understand how her family referred to her as a queen. Rest in Peace, Joyce! Your memory lives on.
Debbie Hewitt-Frost
January 12, 2019
"Rest in eternal peace, sweet Joyce. I will always remember you as a kind, warm, loving, friend who inspired me. You are gone... but never forgotten. No doubt, you are one of God's Angels. I will miss you, our talks and your beautiful smile"
Love, Deb XOX
Beautiful Celebration of Life, today. May God comfort all of Joyce's family , my dearest friend, Paula, (her sister) and her many colleagues and friends.
Dolores Gail Wager Quintero
January 12, 2019
What a wonderful love filled life she led. My condolences and sympathy.
Jorj Mills
January 12, 2019
Joyce was a beautiful and loving woman
A & B Nunez
January 11, 2019
To the Houck and Dooley Family,Our deepest condolences for your loss. Mrs. Dooley was a beautiful person inside and out. She cared so much for all the children in Arizona so that they would excel academically. May she Rest In Peace and may the Lord comfort all of you throughout this difficult time. Alex and Betty Nunez and Family
Sara, Brian, and Gail Poe
January 11, 2019
So many wonderful memories of Joyce and especially the sound of her laughter...even while camping in torrential rains. Our deepest sympathies to all Joyces family and many friends for their huge loss.
Sara, Brian and Gail Poe
Mark Joraanstad
January 10, 2019
Joyce will be well-remembered by the students and staff of Landmark Middle School and by all of us who served students and families in the Glendale Elementary School District.
Mark Joraanstad
Phyllis Armstrong
January 10, 2019
What a sweet, beautiful woman/angel - my heart goes out to her family, especially her loving husband and sweetheart, Bob! My prayers for strength are always with you and I hope to see you again soon, cousin.
January 10, 2019
My sincere condolences to family and friends. May God sustain you at this time of such great loss (Psalms 94:19).
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