Dolly Greer

Dolly Toole Greer died Friday, September 5, 2014 at Caissa Adult Care Home in Gilbert, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 90 years old. Dolly was born on November 12, 1923 in Reedley, Fresno County, California to her parents, the late Daniel and Lena Myrtle (Winkle) Toole. After high school, Dolly attended and graduated from San Jose State College where she received her teaching certificate in elementary education. Throughout her long and successful career, Dolly worked as a Kindergarten and 1st Grade teacher and always appreciated the fact that she was a key figure in molding the minds of her little friends as they grew up to become responsible and capable adults. On October 8, 1945, Dolly married her life's love, James B. Greer in San Jose, California. When he died in 2012, the couple had been married for 67 years. Dolly was one who appreciated the beauty of the world in which she lived. Throughout her life, she enjoyed being in the outdoors and spent countless hours camping and backpacking. Dolly also thoroughly enjoyed traveling. She and her husband, Jim, traveled extensively while they were living and working in Iran from 1976 to 1979. After their years in Tehran, the Greers moved to Arizona and made their home in Mesa . During that time, they began building their cabin in Pinetop. In the mid 1980s, Dolly and Jim moved permanently to Pinetop where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Dolly loved calling the White Mountains "home" and continued to enjoy the beauty of her surroundings. Everyone who knew her was in awe of her boundless energy, selflessness and kind heart. Dolly was a gifted artist. She loved to paint and do other crafts and was always giving her masterpieces away. Her many family members and friends who have her art pieces hanging on their walls, now consider them to be priceless treasures. Along with teaching, Dolly also dabbled quite a bit in real estate. She worked as an agent in Mesa as well as the White Mountains. She also worked as a substitute teacher in Whiteriver for several years and was well-liked by all of her students. Even after her retirement, Dolly was never one to be idle. She was an active member of the Lions Club and also was a member of the White Mountains' Amateur Radio Club. Dolly always looked for the fun things in life and she loved to dance. She danced with the Rim Rompers Square Dance Club for many years. She also spent countless hours volunteering at the Love Kitchen and gave food to the food bank for many years (up until she suffered a debilitating stroke). Dolly believed that when she was in the service of her fellow man, she was only in the service of her God. She lived her Christian values daily and was an active member of Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church in Lakeside. She was able to serve on the church's board and volunteered as one of its ushers for many years. She followed the Lord's admonition to "love one another" and showed that love as she cared for the needs of everyone who crossed her path. Dolly lived her whole life making her house a home. It truly was a refuge from the world where her family and friends could gather and be safe and receive of her sweet hospitality. She loved to entertain there and received much joy from having people come over for dinner, dessert or simply to play some games. She was an incredible hostess and was equally grateful for the company. Her family and friends will miss her deeply, however, they find a great deal of peace and comfort knowing that she has now been reunited with her forever sweetheart, Jim. Dolly is survived by 2 sons: Michael (Vicki) Greer of Show Low, Arizona, Patrick (Christina) Greer of San Francisco, California; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. A special memorial service for Dolly will begin 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church 5147 Show Low Lake Road in Lakeside, Arizona. The concluding service and interment will follow at 4:30 P.M. at the Show Low Cemetery where she will be laid to rest along with Jim.