Mary Doyle, CSJP (1928-2025)
Sister Mary Doyle was born in Brewel, Colbinstown, County Kildare, Ireland, on 10 May 1928. She was the fourth of six children, one boy and five girls, born to Morgan and Julia Anne (Conway) Doyle.
Growing up on a small farm, the natural world spoke to her heart from childhood. “Our little corner of the Emerald Isle was extremely rich in natural beauty which I explored and loved from an early age… I especially loved the spring flowers, particularly the primroses and cowslips, also the ones ‘born to blush unseen’, the fragrant white and purple violets and the elegant wood anemones.”
After her mother’s death in 1954, Sister Mary emigrated to England and worked at Griffin and Spaulding Department Store (Debenhams) in Nottingham. She was involved in the Legion of Mary and got to know the sisters at Mapperley Convent. In 1960 her longheld desire to become a sister brought her to Rearsby, Leicestershire, England, to enter the community.
Sister Mary graduated as a teacher from Digby Stuart College, London, Engand, in 1968. She taught in schools in England and Scotland for seven years. Because she had volunteered in overseas missions, she was asked to accompany three sisters on an education mission to Ashing, West Cameroons, Africa, in 1974. She remained there for six years, returning to Rearsby to serve as administrator at the convent.
Shortly after her return, Sister Mary took a sabbatical in America, which gave her a lovely opportunity to spend time with her brother, Father Denis, in his parish in California. In Rearsby, she started an agricultural club and assisted Sister Rosemary Reilly, CSJP, in teaching needlework to the local women. After the convent closed in 2016, Sister Mary moved to Leicester, England, eventually settling in Nottingham two years later.
Sister Mary was very close to her family. She attended family occasions and enjoyed meeting the successive generations of her family. Recently, as her health began to fail, her family members visited her more frequently.
Sister Mary Doyle died peacefully on 22 August 2025, in the City Hospital, Nottingham. She will be dearly missed by her family and all the sisters in the region, particularly at the Wollaton Community, where she was a valued and gentle presence in the community’s daily life. Sister Mary brought life, laughter and love to every convent where she lived. She loved nature, gardening, sport, reading, crosswords, and poetry.
We give thanks for Sister Mary who lived religious life with faithfulness, kindness and an open heart. Dedicated to faith, service and community, her life was rooted in the Gospel and lived in generous service to others.
May Sister Mary now rest in the loving care of God.