EDITH DOYLE

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EDITH DOYLE Edith Doyle, loving mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully, after a brief illness in Royal Jubilee Hospital on November 23, 2003, at the age of 101. Known to all as Mom or most often simply as Gran, she was predeceased by and will join her beloved husband Richard; baby daughter Josephine; sons, Thomas and Charles (Pat). Gran is survived by and will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her devoted family, sons, Richard (Irene), Michael (Fran), Frank, Daniel; daughters, Mary (Jim) and Patricia; daughter-in-law Agnes (Thomas) 29 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and close friends, Mary Whitehead, Jill Hewison, Frank and Betty Costello. Gran was born on November 19, 1902 in Lochee, Scotland. After finishing her schooling, she met Richard, who we all called Pop, in Dundee where they married on March 13, 1921. In 1922, they left for a new life in Canada, first settling in Russell, MB then moving to Winnipeg, where they raised a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. In Winnipeg, Gran was an active member of St. Edwards and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and was a lifetime member of the Catholic Womens League. She enjoyed organizing and supporting church bazaars, picnics and especially Bingo, which she loved. Gran led a very active life in Winnipeg where she enjoyed bargain hunting at Eatons, picnics at Lake Winnipeg and countless family parties and celebrations in the family home on Melbourne Avenue in East Kildonan. Gran was also one of the longest serving members of the Sons of Scotland. Somehow, Gran still found time to start a very successful home business as an Avon rep. Grans special love, though, was always for her many, many grandchildren who she showered attention and love on never forgetting anyone at Christmas or on birthdays. In 1957, Gran and Pop retired and moved to Victoria, BC settling in their new bungalow on Redfern Street. In the years following, several of their children also moved with their families to Victoria thus firmly establishing the Doyle clan in both Winnipeg and Victoria. It wasnt long before Gran was again leading a very active life in Victoria, reestablishing her Avon business, volunteering with church activities, making new friends and learning to drive a car while in her 60s and, of course, Bingo! On November 29, 1963, her beloved husband Richard passed away at the age of 69. Gran then moved into an apartment on Jubilee Avenue in Victoria. It was a continuing source of pride and amazement to all of Grans family and friends that she continue to live on her own to age 101 and with her incredible memory to still be the most reliable and accurate authority regarding our family history, past and present. Gran was a longtime member of the Oak Bay Lodge which she still visited twice a week to enjoy playing cards, special outings, lunches and dinners. She loved watching the "soaps" and talking to her many family members and friends on the telephone. Gran always refused to consider moving into a nursing home wanting to remain independent and self-reliant. One of the very special events of Grans life was the celebration in 2002 of her 100th birthday. We will always remember Gran, with her walker, surrounded by family and friends, being piped into the hall laughing and doing her very best to dance along to the highland music. Gran will always be remembered for her kindness, love of her family and generosity, bringing laughter along with her wherever she went. Though her life was not always easy, Grans strength of faith guided her always and will remain an example for all of us. A celebration of Grans life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27 at St. Andrews Cathedral on Blanshard St., Victoria, BC. Our heartfelt thanks to all of the many care givers, and the Victoria Police Community Volunteers, who assisted Gran and helped to make her life comfortable and enjoyable. Our family would also like to thank the nurses and care givers in RJH 2W for their excellent care, kindness and compassion with special thanks to Anil. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shrine of St. Jude, 3078 Renfrew St., Vancouver, BC V5M 3K6 would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2003