Nora Doster Obituary

Nora Patricia “Pat” Doster died peacefully on Friday, May 31, 2024, with family and friends by her side.

Pat was born in Waterbury, CT on October 20, 1928, to Patrick and Catherine Crean who had recently immigrated to the United States from Ireland. The Creans settled in Waterbury, CT and were surrounded by an extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles. Pat attended Saint Margaret’s grammar school, Waterbury Catholic High School and St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Waterbury, CT. She then went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Columbia University. After graduating, Pat taught nursing at Bronx Community College in New York.

Treating herself to a vacation to Acapulco in 1958, Pat met Philip Doster who was living in San Francisco at the time. After a week of beachside fun and sun, they kept in touch, exchanging letters from New York to San Francisco. Two years later, when an opportunity to teach nursing in the Bay Area arose, Pat decided to give it a try. She left New York for a summer in San Francisco, and never made it back to New York! What Pat thought might only be a summer away turned into a lifetime partnership with Phil. After four years of dating, the couple tied the knot in Santa Barbara and lived in San Francisco. Not long after, the couple would return to Phil’s home state of Iowa, first in Burlington and subsequently in Des Moines.

Once settled in Des Moines, Phil opened an Orthodontic practice, Pat taught nursing at Grand View University, and they both focused on raising their beloved children, Catherine and Hank. Summers were spent at Lake Okoboji with a large and wonderful group of friends, many of whom remain close to the Dosters.

Pat was a voracious reader and had a curious mind until the end of her life. She had a knack for conversation, always making a mundane topic into an interesting story. She was very proud of her family, cherished her Irish heritage and valued her friendships deeply.

Pat is survived by her two children, Catherine Stanley (Matt) of San Rafael, CA and Hank Doster (Wendy) of Edina, MN, and four granddaughters, Lilah, Meryl, Marianna and Jane. The family would like to extend appreciation to the staff at Deerfield and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

A memorial service will be held at Iles Westover Chapel at 10:30am on July 12, 2024. A celebration of a life well-lived will be held at Deerfield at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Croix Hospice or The Des Moines Art Center. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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