Nancy Aloise (Brubaker) Dooley

Nancy Aloise Brubaker Dooley passed away September 7, 2021 at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was the first-born daughter of Clifford Lawrence and Mary Margaret (Taylor) Brubaker on July 31, 1937 in Worland, Wyoming.

In her youth, Nancy was very active with the Brubaker Sheep Ranch. She enjoyed the work ethic she learned, as well as the time spent with her brothers, sister and parents. She was not the best equestrian, but she was voted Ten Sleep Rodeo Queen as a teenager. While she was in high school, her claim to fame was her cheerleading for the Ten Sleep Pioneers, where she graduated in 1955. From there, Nancy took off to college at Northwest in Powell. During her second year of college, she spied a good-looking guy who she wanted to meet. It took awhile to get together due to numerous girlfriends in the way, but she finally had a real date with him on July 4, 1957. Nancy and the guy, who was Leonard Dooley of Powell, were married on March 9, 1958.

The newlyweds moved to Gunnison, Colorado where Leonard was playing football on scholarship. She later graduated with a degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming.

Nancy spent her 41-year career, teaching second grade in Worland at Eastside Elementary. She was everyone's favorite second grade teacher. She was famous for her yearly themes that took students to the Olympics, the ocean, the jungle and many more places around the world. She sharpened her students' math skills with a trip to the local grocery store to buy candy with the money she had given them. She loved teaching art and producing the end of the year musical which always highlighted her talent for including everyone in the show. She was a champion for all students and was always proud of the students who gave her credit for motivating them to continue their education, trade or lives. She was the real "Giving Tree" who influenced hundreds of children with her wit, humor and passion for teaching.

Nancy was a sharp card player with her favorite game being duplicate bridge. She enjoyed traveling with her girlfriends and was always in charge of the till. She always looked forward to the highlight, being the annual Bridge Slumber party, every summer. She had a fondness for sleeping in during the summer months, staying up all hours of the night, visiting, baking and entertaining the many people who always seemed to land on her doorstep. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, at any time. She was the most generous soul, always taking care of her family and friends first, before herself.

Nancy was incredibly dedicated to her family, her brothers and sister: Bobby, Larry and Mary Margaret, held a special place in her heart. She could often be found in the kitchen helping her mother prepare thousands of meals for sheep camp year after year. She was the hidden backbone to the Brubaker Livestock operation. She even twirled Christmas trees one winter to help buy cows. She would volunteer everyone she knew to help during the lambing and docking season.

Nancy's love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was unmatched. She not only taught her students about life, but she was a woman to share valuable insight to her children too. Like that "It's okay to wear underwear from the thrift store – they're still clean!" Or, "I got it on sale, you can wear it at least once." She wasn't shy about spoiling everyone in her family and was always out buying gifts, clothes and more for each one of them. She loved her "chubby checker" grandkids and great-grandkids and every one of them always weighed 40.11 pounds. Nancy had a unique and special relationship with each child, grandchild and great-grandchild that was specific to each of them, they all knew and felt her love. She was always so proud of every one of them for reaching for their dreams and never settling for less.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Mary Brubaker; her husband, Leonard Dooley; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Margaret and Jed Leithead; and niece, Jodi Leithead.

Nancy is survived by her son, Leonard Mark (Becky) Dooley; daughters, Lynette Dooley Swing, Nicole Sue (Adam) Martinez; nine grandchildren: Dustin Dooley (Trish Eubanks), Brenna (Aaron) Abel, Dane Dooley, David (Christy) Swing, Mike Swing (Cameron), Sami (Mike) McRae, Bru (Katelyn) Swing, Navy Martinez and Fisher Martinez and great-grandchildren: Bryce, Breann, Aiden, Connor, Boden, Carly, Maclen, Callie, Cameron and Graycen.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers an account has been set up for Summer Art for Youth Kids in memory of Nancy Dooley aka Mrs. Dooley. Please make checks payable to Nancy Dooley Memorial and send to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.

Please join us for a celebration of life 4:00 PM, Friday, September 24, 2021 at the Worland Elks Lodge. Burial took place at the Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Friday, September 10. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.