Alice Erina Dooley

From The Richmond News Leader, of Friday, Feb. 19, 1937:

Miss Dooley's rites Monday

Miss Alice E. Dooley, 91, a member of an old Richmond family, and for many years a prominent figure in civic and religious activities here, died early today at her home, 416 West Franklin Street. She was the sister of the late Major James H. Dooley.

The funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday from St. Peter's Catholic Church, and interment will be in the family section in Shockoe Cemetery.

In the death of Miss Dooley, Richmond has lost one of its oldest and most beloved citizens.

Born Sept. 17, 1845, the daughter of Major and Mrs. John Dooley, she spent the long span of her years in her native city; as a young girl living through the soul-stirring period of the War of the Confederacy and the dark days of reconstruction, of which she told many dramatic and touching episodes.

She witnessed the revival of her beloved city and state, and during all that time took part in every laudable movement looking to social and civic improvement.

Her quick sympathy and abounding charity endeared her to all hearts, just as her well-stored mind and bright disposition made her a charming companion.

With her mother, she was a member and officer of the old Benevolent Society of St. Peter's Catholic Church, which she attended all her life, keeping up with welfare and religious work of various kinds.

She helped to organize the Catholic Women's Club of this city and was for many years a member of the Women's Club. An ardent suffragist, she was a pioneer in the cause of votes for women, and lobbied for a number of years in the interests of legislation for women and children.

She served on the board of the Equal Suffrage League during its existence, and at the time of her death was an honorary vice president of the Virginia League of Women Voters, and as a member of the board of the Social Service Federation worked to improve moral conditions in the city of her birth.

Miss Dooley's maternal grandmother, the first Mrs. James Dooley, came to America from Limerick, Ireland, in 1832, with three daughters and a nephew. In 1836, one of the daughters, Sarah, and the nephew, later on to make an enviable record in the Confederate Army as Maj. John Dooley, were married in Alexandria, at St. Mary's and settled in Virginia. Besides distinguishing himself as an officer of the 1st Virginia Regiment, he was appointed head of the Ambulance Corps for the Army of Northern Virginia.

Miss Dooley is survived by a sister, Mrs. Josephine E. Houston, and four nieces.

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