Patricia "Pat" Joanne LaFary

Patricia “Pat” Joanne LaFary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to anyone she met. After a courageous battle with cancer, Pat passed peacefully at her home on the morning of December 12, 2024 at age 76, surrounded by family and her best friend and fur baby Poncho.

She was born to Max Sr. and Rose Margaret Dooley on April 14, 1948. She grew up on a farm in the rural southeast Polk County area. She was active in sports and heavily involved in 4-H. She graduated in 1966 from the newly consolidated Southeast Polk High School, her class the first full year to do so. She raised three children in Altoona, mostly as a single mom, until she met and married Dale LaFary and moved to Des Moines. In the 1970’s she was a pioneer as a woman in the automotive parts industry. Having worked at Porter’s Auto Parts in Altoona and RPW, a parts warehouse, on Des Moines east side. Later she began a career with UPS, first as a package sorter in the Des Moines hub and then in the billing office before retiring.

In her younger adult years, she loved playing in fast pitch softball leagues. She was an avid bowler throughout her life, having participated in many city, state and national tournaments. Pat loved finding hidden gems at garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores. She loved camping and traveling in their fifth wheel camper, eventually purchasing a second home and splitting time between Des Moines and Eustis, Florida. But her real passion were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She rarely missed any of their games, school concerts or other events. Pat made an impact on so many people’s lives, amassing many lifelong friends wherever she was or whatever she was doing. She will be deeply missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Dale; children, Dan (Echo Michelle) Dooley, Charlotte Little, Megan (Kevin) Pyles; grandchildren, Joanne Dooley, Daniel (Aubrey) Dooley, Jr., Makenzie (Josh) Tamse, Braydon Vanderpool, Austin (Rachel) Pyles, Brianna Vanderpool and Brooklyn Little; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pat is proceeded in death by her parents; brothers Max (Sharon) Dooley, Jr., Dan (Sherry) Dooley; nephew Eric Dooley and son-in-law Michael Green.

A visitation is scheduled for 12p-2p on Friday, December 20, 2024 with a Celebration of Life service directly afterward at Hamilton’s near Highland Memorial Gardens located at 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313.

Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

Print