DOWLING, GARVIS, MINEHAN

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Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 07:36:31 :

San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
B2

DOWLING, Marcelline -- Entered into eternal rest on October 12, 2001. Mom was born Marcelline Amelia Garvis in Lyons, Nebraska to Leon and Mary Grenier Garvis on April 22, 1910. She was one of eight children. At age 18 she left home to earn a diploma at Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago. When United Air Lines pioneered in-flight stewardess service with a nursing credential requirement - perhaps the better to reassure the clientele - she was among the first. While with United, she met her life long dear friends Evelyn, Patty and Aldy. After a flying career that included photo shoots for Life Magazine, a speech before the American Society of Automotive Engineers and booth work at the 1939 World's Fair, Mom had her wings clipped to marry Raymond Minehan, ab illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle. Left suddenly a widow before their child was born, she delivered her first child, Ray Minehan, in 1941. She returned to nursing and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross before marrying William J. Dowling, Jr., himself a widower and father to Bill and Terry Dowling. Together they had three children, Kevin, Sean and Brian. Mom and Dad raised their family in Holy Name Parish in San Francisco. She was active in the Ladies Guild, was a cub scout den mother and spent her summers camping with the boys. During this time she also volunteered to be a courier for the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank. One measure of a parent's success is the number of other kids who hang out at the house, and Mom was wildly successful. After Dad's death, Mom relocated to St. Isabella's Parish in San Rafael, living at Villa Marin until her passing. Her beloved son Terry died on February 21 of this year. Mom is survived by her remaining five sons and all spouses, Linda (Ray), Joyce (Bill), Corinne (Terry), Kathleen (Kevin), Susan (Sean) and Catherine (Brian). She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Ray, David and Brendan Minehan: Michelle Dowling Baack (Jim), Bill, Dennis, Michael, Molly, Terry, Christopher, Lisa, Matt, Ryan, Evan, and Stephen Dowling: Marty Hutchinson, and Maura Lewis. In addition, Mom is survived by two great grandchildren, Kieran and Shannon Baack. Not a day went by that she did not thank God for everything that she received. A memorial Mass to celebrate her 91 years with us will be arranged by the family. Those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers may do so to their local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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Message:	: San Francisco Chronicle : Tuesday, October 16, 2001 : B2 : DOWLING, Marcelline -- Entered into eternal rest on October 12, 2001. Mom was born Marcelline Amelia Garvis in Lyons, Nebraska to Leon and Mary Grenier Garvis on April 22, 1910. She was one of eight children. At age 18 she left home to earn a diploma at Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago. When United Air Lines pioneered in-flight stewardess service with a nursing credential requirement - perhaps the better to reassure the clientele - she was among the first. While with United, she met her life long dear friends Evelyn, Patty and Aldy. After a flying career that included photo shoots for Life Magazine, a speech before the American Society of Automotive Engineers and booth work at the 1939 World's Fair, Mom had her wings clipped to marry Raymond Minehan, ab illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle. Left suddenly a widow before their child was born, she delivered her first child, Ray Minehan, in 1941. She returned to nursing and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross before marrying William J. Dowling, Jr., himself a widower and father to Bill and Terry Dowling. Together they had three children, Kevin, Sean and Brian. Mom and Dad raised their family in Holy Name Parish in San Francisco. She was active in the Ladies Guild, was a cub scout den mother and spent her summers camping with the boys. During this time she also volunteered to be a courier for the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank. One measure of a parent's success is the number of other kids who hang out at the house, and Mom was wildly successful. After Dad's death, Mom relocated to St. Isabella's Parish in San Rafael, living at Villa Marin until her passing. Her beloved son Terry died on February 21 of this year. Mom is survived by her remaining five sons and all spouses, Linda (Ray), Joyce (Bill), Corinne (Terry), Kathleen (Kevin), Susan (Sean) and Catherine (Brian). She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Ray, David and Brendan Minehan: Michelle Dowling Baack (Jim), Bill, Dennis, Michael, Molly, Terry, Christopher, Lisa, Matt, Ryan, Evan, and Stephen Dowling: Marty Hutchinson, and Maura Lewis. In addition, Mom is survived by two great grandchildren, Kieran and Shannon Baack. Not a day went by that she did not thank God for everything that she received. A memorial Mass to celebrate her 91 years with us will be arranged by the family. Those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers may do so to their local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. :