Dolores 'Dee' Bowman, passed away in Reno on December 28, 2011 at the age of 78. Dee was born at home on March 21, 1933 in Virginia City, Nevada, the daughter of Dorothy Haffey who was born in Gold Hill and Len Haffey Sr. who came to Virginia City in the early 1900's from the Sierra California gold mining town of Gibsonville. Besides her parents and her brother Len Haffey Jr., Dee was preceded in death by her husband Bill and son Tom who have patiently been waiting to be reunited since 1994.
Dee is survived by her dear sister, Mary Jane Rule; her daughter, Pam Cruz of Sparks; son, Bill and his wife Karen, of Moundhouse; grandchildren, PFC Tim Bruns, Doug Koerner, Dan Koerner, Will Bowman and Angela Bowman; 5 great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dee attended Virginia City Schools and graduated there in 1951. She met her husband Bill when he moved to the Comstock during their high school years. After graduating high school Dee attended Armstrong College in Berkeley California. After their marriage in 1954 ,Dee and Bill moved to Carson City where Dee worked as a legal secretary beginning with a job in the District Attorney's office working for the late Senator Paul Laxalt.
Dee was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. When the kids were young she was heavily involved in 4-H and the Mothers Baseball Committee of the Carson City Little League. As the grandchildren came along, she stayed involved with their activities by attending as many concerts, color guard, soccer, basketball and baseball games as she could.
Dee was very proud of her Comstock roots and very interested in its history. For many years Dee was involved with the Virginia City Alumni Association and she also worked as a volunteer for the preservation of the Fourth Ward School, being one of the driving forces behind the creation of its 'Alumni Room'.
The family would like to thank Erlinda Tirona and her staff at Char-Lin Home Care for the love and care that they provided to Mom during her final months.
No services will be held, but there will be a celebration of Dee's life for friends and family at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers please remember her with a donation to the Fourth Ward School Foundation, PO Box 4, Virginia City, Nevada 89440.
