Obituary of Loretta Catherine Doyle

Loretta Catherine Doyle 

After a long and good life, Loretta passed away peacefully, with family at her side, May 28, 2025.

Born February 13, 1931, beloved daughter of Mary Anne (MacDonald) and Joseph Foley. Predeceased by her mother and father, her son John Doyle, and by sisters Emily Foley and Clare Foley, brother Ronald Foley, brother-in-law Gerald Gaudet, sister-in-law Helen Foley, and nephews Peter Foley, Chuck  Foley and Paul Gaudet.

Much loved mother of Maureen (Michael) Piercy ,  Brian (Jo Anne) Doyle, Michael (Christine) Doyle, and Allan (John) Doyle; loving and proud grandmother to Christopher (Mimi) Doyle , Sean (Katherine) Doyle, Erin Piercy, Caleigh (Vishal) Doyle, and Sabrina (Aaron) Doyle. Loving  great-grandmother to Peyton, Drew, Brooke and Shay Doyle.
 

Beloved sister of Imelda Gaudet, Gertrude Foley, and Gerald Foley. Dear sister-in-law to Mary Foley. Loving aunt and great-aunt to many.

Loretta was born and raised in her cherished hometown of Antigonish Nova Scotia. She graduated from Mount Saint Bernard with the Governor-General's award, and continued to excel in studies at St. Francis Xavier University (BA) and McGill University (BSW). Later, with two young sons at home, she completed a Master of Social Work degree as a commuter student at Carleton University.   

During 42 years of moving with her husband Ron in support of his career,  Loretta also established a private practice as a family therapist in Sault Ste Marie and frequently provided expert testimony in family court. She was a strong supporter of women and vulnerable people throughout her life. One of her proudest accomplishments (other than the achievements of her children!) was her role as a founder of the Rape Crisis Centre in Kingston Ontario. With Ron and her family, she designed and established the Doyle Family Scholarship at Sault College, an ongoing bursary in support of women students who are single heads of households.

Loretta relocated to Cambridge Ontario in her 60s, bought a home and established a new network of friends and community colleagues. She was proud to have published a memoir of her family and life A Capsule of Courage  as an octogenarian.

Loretta was a vibrant and determined individual, and a lifelong learner.  She loved the arts, music and poetry . She read voraciously and deeply,  from Teilhard de Chardin to the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Mom loved the outdoors — her Cambridge garden was one of the joys of her life — and was an enthusiastic walker. She was known to many in Cambridge by her lovely smile, engaging personality, and  jaunty red beret.

Having grown up near the ocean, she was a joyful lifelong swimmer and enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Pine Lake in Eastern Ontario.

Loretta was a thoughtful adherent to her Catholic faith throughout her life.

Loretta will be deeply missed by her family and friends in Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes, and B.C. but she has left a strong legacy in the next generation.

Our family's deepest gratitude and appreciation go out to the staff and administration at St. Luke's Place in Cambridge.  To a person, they cared for Mom with skill, genuine affection and compassion.  

Cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Allan and John,  849 Queenston Road, Cambridge Ontario, Sunday July 20, 2025, from 2 o'clock.  A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish  11:00 Saturday August 2, followed by burial near Loretta's  parents at the parish cemetery.   

If you wish to honor Loretta's memory, please consider a donation to St. Luke's Place, Cambridge ( https://saintlukesplace.ca/), the Doyle Family Scholarship Fund at Sault College (https://www.saultcollege.ca/about/corporate/giving/make-online-donation), the research of Dr. Sandra Black  on  Alzheimer's  at Sunnybrook Research Institute https://research.sunnybrook.ca/researchers/sandra-black/), or a charity of your choice.