Dorothy Rooney

Mass of Catholic Burial for Dorothy Ann Rooney, 81, Lawrence will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2010 at Corpus Christi Church; burial following at Fidelity Catholic Church cemetery, Fairview, KS. Ms. Rooney died Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar surrounded by her family.
Dorothy was born in Fairview, Kansas on August 27, 1929, the daughter of Mark and Anna Mary "Philomena" Rooney.  She attended 8 grades in a rural one room school, Franklin Grade School, and graduated from Fairview High School in 1947.  On August 22, 1975, she graduated from the School of Banking, in Madison, WI.
Dorothy started her 59 years in banking at the Morrill and Janes Bank, Hiawatha, Kansas.  She started as an Assistant Cashier with the opening of the Douglas County Bank, in Lawrence, KS in 1952.  Long hours, hard work, and professionalism provided promotions culminating her career as Executive Vice President and Board of Directors member.
In 1972, the Equal Right Amendment (ERA) for Women became a controversial subject. Dorothy supported Equal Pay for Equal Work.  To her ERA meant: Education, Responsibility and Attainment. Dorothy was the first woman in the Lawrence community to be elected to the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the first woman Director of local Commercial Bank, and the first women Treasurer of the Kansas State Bankers Association.  She accepted the Douglas County Bank Board of Directors position by saying, "I would not want this position because I was a woman nor would I want to be denied the position because I was a woman; however, I do believe that I have earned the honor and I accept.”
She was active in the National Association of Bank Women, Inc., Center for Research Inc., and the Kansas Bankers Association. Her civic services included KPERS Board of Trustees, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Board, United Way Fund Director, Kansas History Museum Board, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Lawrence Citizens Advisory Council.   She was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and very proud to serve on the church building committee.
Dorothy was an avid Jayhawks fan and attended many basketball and football games with family and friends.  Her hobbies were travel, and researching family genealogy.
Dorothy was a beautiful person-both inside and out, making others feel special because she showed true concern and interest in their needs. She will be deeply missed by all she touched.
She is survived by a loving family which includes sisters, Isabel Showman, Sabetha, KS; Mary Lane, Bloomington, IN; brother, George "Ned" Rooney and wife Mary Lou, Lawrence, KS; eight nieces and nephews, and fifteen great nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Fred and Lee Rooney.
Friends may call from 4:30 p.m.  Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, with the Rosary to begin at 7 p.m.
Suggested memorials include: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Douglas County Visiting Nurses or American Cancer Association, send in care of the funeral home at 120 W 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044-3402.