Eileen Doyle

EILEEN MARY DOYLE

Davenport

Eileen Mary Doyle was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 9, 1946. She was welcomed into the world by her loving parents, James and Cecelia Doyle, and adoring big brother, Terry. Soon after, brother Denny joined the family and a few years later three more Doyle babies arrived, first Brian, then Jimmy and lastly, baby sister Theresa. Eileen loved her siblings and mothered them more than they would have liked. She loved a clean and orderly house, which was difficult in a busy home with six kids. Her siblings remember her often shooing them out the front door as she swept and shined and polished. She also loved hanging with her friends, Jane, Sherry, Sue and Liz, music, and CLOTHES. She could describe in detail the outfits she wore for special occasions, and loved to tell about how she used to twirl in the living room, and then sit to get the skirt to float and settle just so.

Eileen grew up and embarked on her next big adventure, raising her own babies, Tara (Paul) Greufe and Kara (Greg) Smith. This was always her most important and prized work. She taught them to love God, to go to Mass, and that faith is everything. She taught them to work hard, to do the right thing (give back the wrong extra change in the McDonald's line), to press your clothes (including jeans and sweats), to tell the truth ("there's nothing I hate more than a liar"), to clean the house on Thursday nights ("so you are good to go all weekend"), and most importantly, to DANCE. She and her girls would dance in the living room, the record player stacked high with 45s, the volume cranked. The most frequent lesson, however, was to teach her girls that she loved them fiercely, unconditionally and eternally.

She carried on that loving tradition with her grandchildren, Brady, Abby, Casey, Reilly and Claire. She was a fun and loving grandma who took them on picnics and who let them get butter on their popcorn when she took them to "the show." She loved attending their concerts and musicals, basketball, volleyball, baseball and soccer games – she was their biggest fan. If she picked them up from school, they knew a drive-thru treat was coming. But they will laugh if you think her a kindly grey-haired, cookie-baking grandma, for her grandkids found her to be a formidable foe if their manners, language or behavior was steering off course. ("Please, don't call GRANDMA!") Again, she taught her grandchildren that they, too, were loved fiercely, unconditionally and eternally.

In the midst of all the parenting, Eileen made a dream come true by earning her nursing degree. Thus began a 28-year career as a psychiatric nurse. Eileen loved her career. She loved helping her patients, loved her co-workers and loved bringing treats for staff potlucks. Over her tenure, she helped many people and made special lifelong friends, including Marge, Julie, Georgiann, Dorothy and many others that she felt blessed to call friend. These friends were instrumental in her life and were so helpful to her in her last days. They are a true blessing.

The love of her life was her great-grandson, Chase Doyle. On his arrival, she promptly decided to retire from her job and spend the last three years devoted to him. Chase and "Ma" had special dates each week where they would share coffee and toast, play toys, watch reruns of Lawrence Welk and read books. She taught him "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral – An Irish Lullabye," and they sang it together as they fell asleep. It will always be their song.

As Eileen so loved her family, she, too, was loved by them. Keeping her alive in memory and in their hearts are daughters Tara (Paul) Greufe and Kara (Greg) Smith; brothers, Terry (Anne) Doyle, Dennis (Sandy) Doyle and Brian (Cindy) Doyle; sister, Theresa (Jim) Steffen; and lifelong friend, Ken Langham.

Eileen left her family on Earth Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, to be reunited with her beloved mother, dad, brother Jimmy and nephew Matthew. We know that they are all dancing in Heaven, because their twirling girl has joined them once again.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, 614 N. Main St., Davenport, with a prayer service at 4 p.m. to begin the visitation. The funeral Mass for Eileen will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 916 East Rusholme St., Davenport. Burial will take place in Wilcox Cemetery, Viola, Iowa.

Eileen's family wishes to thank all who supported them throughout Eileen's illness. The prayers, food, calls and hugs meant so much. It is evident that Eileen's love touched everyone she knew.

In lieu of flowers, Eileen asked that donations be made to Vera French.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Eileen's obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.