Ann L. Doyle

Ann L. Doyle
1949 - 2011

Ann L. Doyle, an active participant and leader for children's literacy and recreation, died August 25, 2011 at Heartland Hospice in Pike Creek. The cause of death was metastatic cancer, according to her physicians.

Mrs. Doyle was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Bayonne, NJ. She graduated from Holy Family Academy and attended Jersey City State College.

As a new resident to Milford in 1975, Mrs. Doyle worked with leaders at St. John the Apostle to establish a parish Catholic Youth Organization. At the same time, she worked with the Milford community as a staff member of the town's new summer Parks and Recreation program.

She began training in the Montessori Method and subsequently worked at Dover Montessori. She volunteered her time at Holy Cross Elementary School library and in 1979 was invited to become the librarian. During this time, the Diocese of Wilmington solicited her to join the executive board as its first woman executive. In her role on the board, she represented the interests of the parishes of Kent and Sussex counties.

After relocating to Wilmington, Mrs. Doyle assumed the position of librarian at the Lower School of Ursuline Academy in 1985.She was an early adopter of library technology which would free the librarian to integrate reading into the classroom. Early children's literacy was her key focus.

The Diocese CYO board voted her as Vice President. As a representative of the Board, she gave presentations to Catholic girls and boys on the emerging feminist movement within a Catholic context. She was an advocate for young women's aspirational achievement as a means of gaining parity in society.

In 1991, epilepsy cut short her full-time career. After leaving Ursuline, she trained librarians in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to help automate school libraries. In 1993, the seizure disorder ended her work life.

At the urging of an Ursuline library volunteer, Mrs. Doyle began bowling competitively. Beginning at Holiday Lanes and then continuing at First State Lanes, she became an accomplished bowler.

Mrs. Doyle was predeceased by her father, Chester Lowe of Bayonne, N.J. and Milford, Del.

She is survived by her mother, Bernadette G. Lowe, of Milford, her husband, Robert, of Wilmington, her sons Gregory Doyle,of Townsend, Del., and Michael Doyle, living in New York City. Mrs. Doyle felt blessed by her daughter-in-law Mamie and her five grandchildren Lucy, Ted, Nick, William and Catherine in Townsend. Mrs. Doyle is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy L. and Roy Hoerauf, of Sterling, VA, and their children Chris, Elizabeth, and Daniel.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland Hospice for their caring, professional support.

Also, there are kind regards extended to the Bowers and Justice families at First State Lanes, Mr. Gene Carter, her longstanding teammates, and all of the league bowlers who made Mrs. Doyle feel at home.

She will be dearly missed.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered 11:30 am on Thursday, September 1 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 371 E. Main Street in Middletown where a visitation will be held from 10-11:30 am. Interment is scheduled at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE at 1 pm.

DANIELS & HUTCHISON FUNERAL HOME, LLC
www.daniels-hutchison.com
302-378-3410