Dorothy Fern Haragan Garvey passed away on Thursday, May 24th at the age of 91. Dorothy was born in Floyd, New Mexico to Lillian and Josh Haragan. The family moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1932. She experienced the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, WWII and three years as a US Cadet Corps Nursing Student. In 1946 she met and married the love of her life, Lloyd Garvey while he was stationed with the Air Force in Amarillo, TX. She spent the next twenty years making a home wherever the US Air Force sent them, including a log cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska. In true pioneer fashion she learned many survival skills, pumping water from a well, reading by lantern, and warming spark plugs in an iron skillet in order to start the car in frigid temperatures. During these years she was blessed with three sons; Dan, Patrick, and Michael and each was raised in the Catholic Church, attending Catholic Schools at each military location. They retired from active duty in Oklahoma City. Dorothy had a zest for life. She loved to read, was an excellent Labor and Delivery nurse at Mercy Hospital, cooked delicious meals, gardened, and at 50, made her solo flight to earn a pilot's license. Dorothy is survived by one son, Dan Garvey (Karen), and Daughters-in-law Diana Garvey (Pat) and Connie Garvey (Mike), six grandchildren, Anna (Hans), Kathryn (Dusty), Alison (Dan), Joe (Christen), John (Jessica), and Andy (Ashley), and ten great grandchildren. A graveside service is pending. Memorials may be directed to Hope for the Warriors.org or a charity of choice. Special thanks to the staff and friends at Brookdale Village for their care and compassion.
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