Ann Doyle

Ann Doyle, 96, of Dimmick Township, passed away peacefully at home on June 10, 2017.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 AM Saturday in St. Patrick’s Church in Arlington with Rev. Patrick Fixsen officiating.  Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 PM Friday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle.  Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9:30 AM until time of services.

Mrs. Doyle was born in Tiskilwa on April 14, 1921 to Joseph Raymond and Ferrier (Urban) Smith.  She attended nursing school at St. Mary's School of Nursing in LaSalle. She married Thomas F. Doyle on December 27, 1943. After raising her children, Ann returned to St. Mary’s Hospital in La Salle and later, St. Margaret’s Hospital as a Registered Nurse until her retirement in 1983. 
Ann was many things to many people but her legacy will be that of being the matriarch and sometimes "drill sergeant" of twelve children. She was the backbone of the family. Her influence has spread far beyond that of her own children and has shaped the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

After she retired from nursing and her children were grown, she had more time to pursue interests of her own. Ann loved traveling, reading , bible study, dining with friends, and playing cards. She played euchre to win and was a fierce competitor. Although not a gourmet cook, she made the best strawberry rhubarb pie this side of the Mississippi. She is well remembered by the family as always wanting a sweet treat at the end of a meal. Dove bars were a favorite. To the end, her love of life and the spirit within her still burned brightly.

Ann is survived by seven daughters, Paula (Vince) Lenz of Omaha, Deborah (John Mc Crosky) Walens of La Salle, Joan (Tom) Peterson of Spring Valley, Kay (Ken) Tassett of Petersburg, Becky (Dr. Peter) Meier of Peru, Kim Doyle of St. Cloud, FL and Ellen Doyle of Bandjoun Cameroon, Africa; five sons, Bryan Doyle of Oglesby, Luke (Sue) Doyle of Mendota, Pat (Lynn) Doyle of Lake Jackson, TX, David (Polly) Doyle of Dimmick and Mark (JoAnne) Doyle of La Salle; twenty-five grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dotti (Marvin) Ecklund of Ottawa, Bernice (Bud) Passini of Sterling and Theresa Smith of Rockfalls; one sister-in-law Gita Smith of Peru and her caregiver Frieda Domanska for the past two years; two daughter-in-laws Lynne Doyle of Peru and Sue Doyle of Peru.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband Thomas F. Doyle on January 19, 1988, a son in infancy William, five brothers, Joseph, Francis, Thomas, Paul, and Harold “Red” Smith; two son-in-laws Phil Frank and Alan Walens.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to IVCH Foundation, IVCH Hospice, Peru Chapter of American Red Cross or donor’s choice.

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