Dolores Jean Howley

Dolores Jean (Singer) Howley, 79, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 6, 2024, with her sons Bob and Patrick at her side. 

Dolores was born on May 3, 1945, in Wheeling, WV, the daughter of Theodore and Ruth (McCoid) Singer and was the oldest of six children. Dolores grew up in a military family which took her all over the world, spending much of her early years in Germany and France. Her family eventually moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where she graduated from Vincentian High School in 1963. Dolores went on to take classes at La Roche College - also in Pittsburgh. In her later years, even while she was receiving treatment for breast cancer, she studied at Kellogg Community College and obtained certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. While she spent much of her life suffering through pain and illness, she always persevered. 

Dolores found her vocation in being a mother. While she desperately wanted a large family, her health complications created a difficult path. After her first two children, Alana and James, were born, she suffered many miscarriages and a stillbirth. Through the grace of God and to everyone's surprise, Dolores eventually welcomed two more children, Bob and Patrick, while Alana and James were teenagers. Dolores raised two sets of her own children to adulthood, back-to-back. 

Dolores attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. She also devoted much of her time to volunteering with her children's schools and organizations She was involved in the PTA and volunteered regularly at Riverside Elementary school in Battle Creek. She spent over 30 years involved with the Boy Scouts of America across the United States in various positions, including Den Leader, Asst. Pack Leader, and as a District Executive. She was even honored by Rotary International for her dedication to service with the Paul Harris Fellowship. 

Later, Dolores found more purpose as a participant at CentraCare in downtown Battle Creek. She happily used her time there to help all those around her. She enjoyed helping participants with crafts and games, patient advocacy, and offering advice to her fellow participants and staff. Beyond CentraCare, Dolores assisted multiple people in finding some stability, safety, and companionship in their lives by allowing them to stay with her in her home. 

One of Dolores’s favorite pastimes was watching her Detroit Tigers play on TV. She was a dedicated fan who watched nearly every game and always rooted for each player to do his best. 

Dolores is survived by her four children. A daughter, Alana (Ben) Levy, of Cincinnati, OH; three sons, James (Kathleen) Howley of Columbus, IN, Robert “Bob” Howley of Royal Oak, MI, Patrick (Lyssa) Howley of Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren, Aaron Howley, Jessi (Jake) Goodroe, Gabriel Levy, Julia Howley, Audrey Howley, Emily Davies, Spencer Davies; two great-grandchildren, Amelita Goodroe and James Goodroe; four sisters, Johnette Singer-Williams of Prairie Grove, AR, Pat Livermore of San Antonio, TX, Sue Singer of Pittsburgh, PA, Vicki Singer of Albuquerque, NM; one brother, John Singer of San Antonio, TX; and her at-home caretaker for the past 10 years, Lindsay Wheeler. 

Dolores was previously married for 33 years to Robert Michael “Mike” Howley who precedes her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents. 

A funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Christopher Ankley at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10:00am Saturday, October 19, 2024. Dolores’s ashes will be interred with her parents in Wheeling, WV at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water Program at www.csdw.org. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.