Obituary of Carole Mae Doyle

April 16, 1939 – Rosetown, Saskatchewan

February 10, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Carole Doyle of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the age of 84 years.

Carole was born in Rosetown, SK, on April 16, 1939, the second daughter of George and Edna Loken. She left home after high school to pursue her calling to become a nurse. They say that nursing is a vocation, and it was for Carole as she cared for children and the elderly for many years.

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1964, she met John Doyle, a charming young man from Ireland. They married that September and soon the children arrived; Deb, Patrick, Burke, and Jodi. These family years were spent in Regina, SK, where life was full of activities such as hockey and ringette games, music lessons, and a steady stream of friends and family dropping by. Carole was a gifted baker who always had chocolate chip cookies or a Saskatoon berry pie in the oven! There were many trips to Rosetown to see Grandma Loken and to visit family.

Summers were special for the family, enjoying time at the cottage in Cochin, SK! The family of two parents, four kids, and a dog made the four-and-a-half-hour trip to the cottage in a small car (before the days of minivans and screens)! The cottage was considered small in those days with no indoor plumbing or even a phone, but we had a big, beautiful lake, a sandy beach, and the best sunsets we have ever seen! There were epic card games with our dear friends (maybe a little cheating), waterskiing, marshmallows at the campfire, and beautiful sunny days by the water.

In 1983, Carole became a grandma, and she loved it! She soon had twelve little ones calling her grandma! She knew each one well, what was going on in their life, how their exams had gone, their favourite meals, and their favourite teams. She was the first one in the family with an iPad and she was always texting the grandkids to find out what was important to them! If you wanted to know what was going on in the family, just ask Grandma! In 2002, Carole and John made the decision to move from their home in Regina to Calgary to be closer to family. We were all so glad they made the move! They made many dear friends in Calgary as well and enjoyed this time very much.

Family was always important to Carole. She and her older sister Gail shared many special memories growing up in Rosetown. It was heartbreaking when their brother, Jim, was diagnosed with ALS. There were many trips to Saskatoon to see Jim and Sheryl and enjoy a good card game together. Carole and her younger sister Laurie were always close, sharing many special visits over the years, and she was by Carole’s side near the end.  

Life has its challenges too. Around 2007, Carole began to experience heart problems that limited her activities. In 2009, John was diagnosed with kidney cancer. His surgery was successful, but the cancer returned a few years later. John passed away in 2014. Life was never the same. She said only last week how much she missed him.

Carole built a family that was close, enjoying birthdays and special occasions together, big messy family dinners almost every weekend, lots of puzzles and Rummikub games, attending kids’ sports events, and she even went to an escape room with the grandkids! In November 2023, Carole became a great-grandma! She just lit up when Jackson came to visit. And she loved all of the pets from over the years! She loved it when Kona came to visit and always enjoyed stories about Frank, Romeo, Lucy, and Sunny!

As her health failed, these bonds were of enormous support. When she moved to the Silverado Seniors Community in November, the steady stream of family visitors just shifted locations. Our beautiful Mom and Grandma had constant companions to enjoy meals, drop off fresh baking, and enjoy her company.

Though Carole will not be at our side for these moments any longer, she will never be far from our thoughts. Her legacy of love and kindness will live on.

On behalf of Carole’s family, we extend our sincere thanks to the many extraordinary healthcare workers who cared for her through her illness at the hospital, in the community, and at the Silverado Seniors Community. Your care and kindness for our dear Mom and Grandma is deeply appreciated. Special thanks to Dr. John Mah who was an exceptional support to Carole, John, and our family for many years.  

Carole did small things with big love. Her superpowers were love and kindness. She passed away peacefully with a room full of family praying by her side. May she and John rest in the loving embrace of our Lord.

Carole is survived by her daughter Deb (Kevin) Osiowy, sons, Patrick Doyle (Katherine Boyatt) of Raleigh, NC, and Burke (Niki) Doyle; and daughter Jodi (James) Parks. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Michael (Steph) Osiowy of Waterloo, ON, Brian (Brittany) Osiowy, Jenn (Brandon) Shaw, Maria Osiowy, Liam Doyle of Raleigh, NC, Danielle Doyle of Asheville, NC, Aidan Doyle, Bryn Doyle, Riley Doyle, Emma Parks, Bridget Parks, and Kate Parks; and her great-grandson Jackson Shaw, all of Calgary, AB.

Carole is also survived by her sisters, Gail Tumbach of St. Albert, AB, and Laurie (Peter) Braun of Rolling Hills, AB; sister-in-law Sheryl Loken of Saskatoon, SK, and sisters-in-law, Biddy O’Dwyer and Eileen (Paddy) Bourke, of Co. Tipperary, Ireland; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Carole was predeceased by her husband John Doyle in 2014, her daughter Maureen in 1968, her father George Loken in 1975, her mother Edna in 1998, and her brother Jim Loken in 2022.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB) on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1414 Shawnessy Boulevard S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in McGivney Hall at St. Mary’s University (14500 Banister Road S.E., Calgary).

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to a charity of your choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Carole’s family here.

In living memory of Carole Doyle, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.