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Virginia Dooley

Virginia Dooley

Biography


Virginia Susan Dooley of Taos, NM, died on Friday, April 25th, after a prolonged illness. She was a fixture of the Taos art community, having been the long-time companion, publicist, promoter and gallery director for Navajo artist, R. C. Gorman. Virginia was born on March 7, 1943 in New York City, the daughter of Raymond N. Dooley and Lovilla Frederick Dooley. She moved with her family to central Illinois where her father was Director of Student Services at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and later President of Lincoln College in Lincoln. Her mother died prematurely while Virginia was still very young; she and her brothers were later adopted by her father's second wife, Florence Adams Dooley. Virginia attended Lincoln public schools and Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam Wisconsin. She studied piano and voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and received her bachelor's degree from Mundelein College in Chicago. Upon graduation, Virginia moved to St. Michaels, AZ where she taught music at the St. Michael's Mission School and where she developed a deep regard and respect for Navajo traditions and culture. She then accepted a job teaching music in the Taos school system. It was in Taos that she met R.C. Gorman, then a promising but unknown artist. She posed for some of Gorman's early drawings and paintings and became both a close friend and early promoter of his work. It was she who launched an early publicity campaign of posters and bumper stickers with the legend "Who Is R. C. Gorman?" and a silhouette of Gorman's profile—an image that became his signature logo. For over thirty years, they worked together, he producing and she promoting, the iconic images of Navajo women drawn with the pure, spare lines that eventually earned him a world-wide reputation. They traveled extensively visiting galleries and meeting collectors of his work, including film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Lee Marvin and other film, entertainment and political celebrities. Virginia and R. C. loved to entertain, frequently hosting elaborate dinner parties at his house or hers. She was an accomplished and creative cook. Early in her days in Taos she won a national baking contest for her recipe for turquoise margarita pie, and she collaborated with Gorman on a series of books called "Nudes and Foods" which feature his drawings and recipes she collected or created.
Music was always a big part of her life. She was a talented pianist and organist and she was an opera lover, making annual trips to the Metropolitan Opera in New York to, in her words, "overdose on opera." She also wrote witty and insightful reviews of the Santa Fe Opera productions for several state and local publications—reviews which were occasionally amusingly hard on the lead tenor.
Virginia is survived by her two brothers, William Paul Dooley of Kent, CT, and Raymond W. Dooley of Belgrade, Serbia, as well as numerous cousins, most of whom came to love Taos while attending family reunions she organized at her home.

Rosary will be recited on Friday, May 02, 2008 at 7 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 12 noon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

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About

Name Virginia Dooley
Date of Death April 25th, 2008
Cemetery

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Funeral Home Rivera Family Funeral Home - Taos
Address 818 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur
Taos NM 87571
United States

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Judi Cowper published a tribute .

Virginia and I taught together in Taos in the early days, became friends, and she will be missed. A strong, vibrant woman, glad I knew her.

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Willow published a tribute .

It must have been an honor to have worked with and for R C so many years. May you both rest in peace forever.........

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Al Frank published a tribute .

Through the years of my friendship with R.C. Gorman, I have grown to love Virginia. She was very helpful in making our tours successful and was always willing to help in any way. She was a beautiful lady as was her smile. I shall always remember this fine lady.

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Bailee And Ronald Kronowitz published a tribute .

Bailee and I just learned of the untimely death of our dear friend Virginia Dooley. Bailee and Virginia spent many pleasant days together talking about their many interests in cooking and art. She will be dearly missed by us.

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Sheryl "wiggers" Johnson published a tribute .

I was informed of the death of Virginia by a friend in Lincoln that new we were friends.I have been in Florida since 1989.
She was a dear friend of mine and we were"buddies" because we went to school together at Adams our first four years. Elizabeth Anderson taught first and second grade and Mrs. Smith taught third and fourth.We only lived about a block and a half away from each other so we played together alot along with her dog "Sparkie."
I always remember her musical talent and beautiful singing voice.
I tried to find out, a couple years back, where she was so I could talk about the good old days. Now I wish I'd tried harder.The last I heard was that she was out west on an Indian reservation teaching. I was on the internet searching Navaho etc. reservations.
The biography was written so well, I enjoyed it. Please send me an e-mail and let me know what she died of and any thing else you can think of.
She won't be forgotten.
Sheryl

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Sheryl Miller Beccue (Class61) published a tribute .

So sorry to hear of Virginia's passing. Several from out class have tried to locate her over the years without any sucess. May she rest in peace,

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Jim & Judy Furr published a tribute .

It was with great regret that we read today in the Taos News of the death of a wonderfully talented woman. Virginia endeared herself to all who met her - even those of us who only saw her infrequently. God speed in your journey, Virginia. You are once again united with the Great Navajo and know that you'll be promoting him in Heaven. Thanks for the memories, Friend.

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Jennifer Kennard published a tribute .

Darling Virginia,
Please save me a place at the table.
Love,
Jenni

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Jennifer Hicks published a tribute .

I've known you almost my whole life, Virginia. I have very fond memories of you, and will hold them dear to my heart, always: You always smelled terrific! You had bright, kind eyes. You had great stories to tell. You loved music, as did I. I loved that fancy telephone in your room! You gave very nice compliments to boost a shy girl's ego. You made such wonderful food. YOu were the best at throwing a party! All of these things and more, made such an impression on a little girl's heart and soul, and now as a woman, I shed a tear for you. I will miss you.

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Patsy Khan published a tribute .

Taos will forever change for me with the loss of such a wonderful person like Virginia. There is an empty spot in our hearts and in our life.

Virginia, sweet one, you will be missed. Bless you as you move to the next realm where all your loved ones will be at your side.

Patsy Khan

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Friend published a tribute .

I am so sorry for your loss, Virginia was a very kind woman.

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