Joan Kay Doyle

January 29, 1940

November 9th, 2025

Joan Kay (Carpenter) Doyle, aged 85, of Modesto, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 9th, 2025. Joan was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her brother Gerald Carpenter; parents Walter and Mary Carpenter.

Joan was born and raised in Rockford, Michigan where she graduated from high school in 1958. In 1962, she married Carl Doyle. Together they had 3 children, and shortly after that, they moved to Modesto, Ca where they have lived for over 60 years.

She served nearly 30 years at Muncy Elementary School managing the office. Many former staff members and students still recall her kindness and warmth. Living right next door to the school, she walked back and forth to work each day, often in heels. She couldn’t leave the house without waving to all of the neighborhood children calling out “Hi Mrs. Doyle”.

Joan loved her family. Her refrigerator door is plastered with photos of her grandchildren and great-children. She was proud of each one of them, and enjoyed watching their dance or sporting events over the years. Family members reflect on her generous gift-giving. She loved to shop and find unique items that were personal to the recipient. Even after her passing, items were arriving in the mail, intended to be gifted to one of her loved ones. Some of the grandchildren lovingly called her “Shoe Grandma” because she always made sure they got new shoes when they visited.

Joan loved to read, especially nonfiction and biographies about people and places in History. She was interested in the lives of political figures, and everyday people who lived in interesting times. She liked to share books with friends and family members and knew who to recommend certain titles to. Anytime she visited a national park or historical site, she wanted to buy books there to read all about it and learn as much as possible. She was a life-long learner.

Joan loved animals; she was never without a pet (or two or three). She loved her dogs and cats, and always brought treats for her children’s and grandchildren’s pets if she came to visit. In recent years she took it upon herself to make sure that local stray cats were spayed/neutered, and cared for, a seemingly endless task.

Joan was a great example of kindness and generosity to all who knew her. She was genuinely interested in people and loved to learn about their lives. She was always thoughtful.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 63 years, Carl Doyle, her children David and Jennifer Doyle, Diane and Robert Neal and Daniel and Tracy Doyle; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 22nd, 2pm at Redemption Hill Church,

1209 B McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to https://hospiceheart.org or https://catnetworkofstanislaus.org