Carol Dooley

December 11, 1944 - April 15, 2022

Carol Ann Dooley, age 77, of Carbondale, Illinois, went to be with her Lord on April 15, 2022 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, with her family close by. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Florence Gorecki, and her granddaughters, Wanda and Hazel Dooley. Carol leaves behind her loving husband, Jim, her son, Ryan Dooley, and his wife, Tristin, of Campbell, CA, her daughter, Ellen Dooley, and her husband, Fernando Lemus, of Waynesville, MO, and her brother, Dave Gorecki, of Aurora, IL. She also will be missed by her canine friend, Brownie. Born in St. Charles, IL, on December 11, 1944, Carol was a loving wife, mother, artist, poet, writer, and voracious reader. Carol married James (Jim) Dooley on September 16, 1972, in St. Charles, IL. They raised their children in West Dundee, IL and Chesterfield, MO, and chose to retire in Carbondale, IL in 2007. Upon moving to Carbondale, Carol immersed herself in her artistic and literary interests. She loved to travel, and, together with Jim, visited much of the country, many national parks and several international destinations. Heading to the coast for oysters, shrimp, and cold beer to soak in the first warm weather of the year almost became a spring ritual. Carol’s family will host a memorial visitation at Saint Francis Xavier Church, 303 South Poplar St., Carbondale, IL, 62901, on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A memorial mass, conducted by Father Robert Flannery, will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your charity of choice. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.