Shirley Anne Dolan

December 21, 1929 - January 14, 2022

Shirley Anne Dolan (nee Howes) died peacefully January 14,2022, at Presbyterian Village in Austell Georgia. She was 92. Shirley was born on December 21, 1929, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Rollin Henry Howes and Pringle Redpath Howes. She grew up in Saskatoon with her parents, her older brother Donald Howes, and her identical twin and soulmate Jean Ranson. After graduating from Bedford Collegiate in Saskatoon, Shirley went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan. She was an athlete in her youth - an avid figure skater, often competing in pairs partnered with her twin sister, and playing basketball in high school and college. In 1952, she married Dr. Patrick A. Dolan, whom she met as a university student. When they started their family, she was a working mother, supporting the family as a nurse while her husband finished his medical studies. In 1959, the family emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Indianapolis. Shirley was a devout parishioner at St. Luke and St. Monica Catholic Churches during her time in Indianapolis, and she devoted her life to service. She loved her family and could usually be found at her children’s athletic events, recitals, science fairs, and other activities, almost always helping out. She was a prolific volunteer at church, at her children's schools, and at New Hope of Indiana where she always shared a smile and a kind word. She embodied kindness, cared deeply for others, and welcomed all of her children's friends into her home and heart as if they were her own. In 1970, she returned to nursing, working with her beloved "preemies" in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at St. Vincent Hospital. She was recognized for her technical skills—she was adept at starting IVs on tiny veins—and her gentle compassion positioned her among the best of the nursing profession. When she retired from nursing, she continued her care of premature babies by serving in the volunteer "Cuddle Corps" at St. Vincent. As she was a former college basketball player, her intense Indiana Pacers fandom came naturally. It was a delight to watch a game with her, particularly if her beloved Reggie Miller was playing well. Shirley spent the last years of her life in the Marietta, Georgia area where she and Dr. Dolan retired, fleeing farther from the Saskatoon winters. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of more than sixty years Pat, her infant son Quinn, her parents, her brother Don, and her adored sister Jean. She is survived by her children Patrick Dolan Jr (Lori) of Iowa City, Iowa; Kevin Dolan (Debbie) of Naples, Florida; Maureen Pearson (Skip) of Orchard Lake, Michigan; and Erin Randle (John) of Durango, Colorado. She is also survived by nine loving grandchildren, Patrick Howes Dolan, Quinn Dolan, Brennan Dolan, Riley Pearson, John Pearson, Sumner Randle, Holden Randle, Payton Randle, and Corbin Randle, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. There will be a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., on March 25, 2022, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Donations in Shirley’s name many be made to one of Shirley's favorite causes: The Little Sisters of the Poor St. Augustine Home at littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org or New Hope of Indiana at newhopeofindiana.org.