Longtime Sedalia Educator Mary Jane Dooley Dies at 91

Dooley taught and served as librarian at Sacred Heart Catholic School for many years before retiring.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:24pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph of an old wooden library card catalog cabinet, with soft pools of amber, ochre, and sage green light creating a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere that evokes the legacy of an educator.The warm glow of Mary Jane Dooley's lifelong dedication to education and literacy lives on in the hearts of her students and the Sedalia community.San Antonio Today

Mary Jane Dooley, a longtime educator and librarian in Sedalia, Missouri, passed away on March 27, 2026 at the age of 91. Dooley taught and worked as a librarian at Sacred Heart Catholic School for many years before retiring. She was a graduate of Windsor High School and studied library science at the University of Central Missouri.

Why it matters

Dooley's passing marks the end of an era for the Sedalia community, where she dedicated decades of her life to educating children and fostering a love of learning. As a beloved teacher and librarian, she left a lasting impact on generations of students at Sacred Heart Catholic School.

The details

Born in Windsor, Missouri in 1934, Dooley married William R. Dooley in 1956. She is survived by two sons, three daughters, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Dooley was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Chapel. After graduating from Windsor High School in 1952, where she served as Class Vice President, Dooley studied library science at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

  • Dooley was born on December 10, 1934 in Windsor, Missouri.
  • She married William R. Dooley on October 13, 1956 in Windsor.
  • Dooley passed away on March 27, 2026 at the age of 91.
  • Her funeral mass will be held on April 1, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Chapel.

The players

Mary Jane Dooley

A 91-year-old educator who taught and served as a librarian at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Sedalia, Missouri for many years before retiring.

William R. Dooley

Mary Jane Dooley's late husband, who passed away in 2000.

Fr. Joseph S. Corel

The priest who will officiate Mary Jane Dooley's funeral mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Chapel.

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What they’re saying

“Mary Jane Dooley was a beloved figure in our community, touching the lives of countless students through her dedication to education and her passion for learning.”

— Elaine Horn, Dooley's daughter

What’s next

Mary Jane Dooley's funeral mass will be held on April 1, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Chapel. She will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Sedalia.

The takeaway

Dooley's legacy as an educator and librarian will continue to inspire the Sedalia community, where she dedicated her career to fostering a love of learning in generations of students at Sacred Heart Catholic School.