Eileen Marie Doyle, 88, of Waldoboro, passed away on the evening of July 28 at Country Manor Nursing Home in Coopers Mills.
Born Oct. 6, 1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eileen was the daughter of Cornelius Francis and Flora (Schroeder) Doyle of Richmond Hill, Queens, N.Y.
Eileen’s college teaching was her joy. Following graduation from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and English, she went to Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, a Catholic college for women. She subsequently got an MA in Spanish from Columbia University and taught for many years at the college of Mt. St. Vincent, and later Herbert Lehman College, both in New York.
Eileen grew up in New York during the depths of the Great Depression and, through a combination of hard work and stubbornness, put herself through college graduating just as WWII wound down. She spoke softly in class but was able to convey what she wished to convey. A former student of hers, Mary Forde, was influenced to move to Maine after a visit to Eileen in 1969. The move didn’t take place until 1993 but they visited back and forth all the time. Ms. Forde was known to say that Ms. Doyle was the woman who had the most influence on her in her life. Many of her students felt the same about Eileen and visited her in Maine.
The nature lover in Eileen chose Maine for her retirement home. Maine satisfied her need for country living where she could enjoy life to the fullest. She treasured the Maine woods, Pemaquid Point and loved going out at night to look at the stars in the darkening sky. She was an inspiration to many, including her young nephew Bryan, who later went on to become an astronomer.
She surrounded herself with animals, both cats and dogs, adopted a rabbit, and kept the turkey visitors to her property happy for years. She became active in several women’s clubs. One of her many talents was embroidery, an art she had learned during her early years in New York City. Many lovely examples of her needlework remain behind.
Her home library was bulging with literature. A true romantic, her favorite author was Jane Austen, and Eileen spent her last days watching the taped version of “Pride & Prejudice.” Her favorite singing duo was Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.
Summers found the teacher in her busy planning activities for neighborhood children on her property. She posted their “art” on large boards for all to see and admire. When her young nephew visited Maine, he had ready-made companions. The former “children” remain friends to this day.
Eileen never married. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Robert “Bobby” and Neil this past June.
She is survived by her sister, Juliet Dorland; and nephew, Bryan and children Natalya, Ciaran and Emma Dorland.
A service was held for Eileen on Aug. 2 at the Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.
Donations in her name may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Highway, PO Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
