Catherine “Sally” Doyle
Catherine “Sally” Doyle was called back home on Nov. 19. Sally was a beautiful person and the heart of her family during the 99 years that she was in this world.
She lived a full and complete life. While she was greatly loved by everyone, the love that she gave was far greater. Sally knew what it was to be a Christian and to share God’s love with all those she met, both strangers and loved ones. She was an example to all. Sally’s face would light up whenever a child entered the room. She was the best mother and grandmother anyone could possibly hope to have.
Sally’s parents, Michael and Annie Tierney, emigrated from Ireland, during the early part of the 20th century. They welcomed their daughter, Catherine, on Aug. 17, 1923. Sometime after, Catherine’s older brother gave her the nickname “Sally,” and it stuck. Sally grew up in a loving home, on Oakland Street in Brighton, Massachusetts, surrounded by her siblings, Tom, Joe, Ann (known as “Rita”), Theresa (known as “Betty”) and Elizabeth (known as “Jiddy”). Needless to say, this created confusion for anyone not part of their large extended family.
After graduating from high school and attending Emmanuel College, Sally worked for many years as an executive secretary at Crane Company and later at Sylvania. She took time off to raise a family; then embarked on a 20-year career as an administrator at Hunt Hospital in Danvers, Massachusetts.
Sally was married to the love of her life, Henry Doyle on Nov. 20, 1948. In a few years, they were joined by six fun-loving children: Henry Doyle, Nancy Doyle-Lowry, Michael Doyle, Tim Doyle, Maryanne (Doyle) Scarfo and Denise (Doyle) Lee. Sally is survived by eight grandchildren: Katie Doyle, Megan Lowry, Patrick Lowry, Christopher Lowry, Evan Scarfo, Colin Scarfo, Matthew Lee, and Catherine Lee; along with three step-grandchildren, Jenna, Ryan, and Rachel Hertzog; and finally three great-grandchildren, George and Louisa Brainard and Eleanor Lowry. Sally and Henry raised their family first in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and then Marblehead, Massachusetts. During her retirement years, Sally was lucky to live near her grandchildren in Danvers, Massachusetts, and in Madison. Sally had many lifelong friends whom she met through the Christian Family Movement and the La Salette Community.
The family would like to express a warm thank you to all who helped Sally during her final years, especially the staff at The Hearth at Tuxis Pond, Madison, and Apple Rehab, Guilford. Sally’s family and friends will miss her greatly, but they are consoled by the knowledge that she is where she was meant to be — reunited with those loved ones that went before her.
Sally is predeceased by her husband Henry; and daughter Nancy. She was the last surviving family member from Oakland Street.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday Dec, 2, at St. George Church, Guilford.