Kathryn Kapela Doyal

Under the beautiful light of the full moon on November 4th, 2025, Kathryn Kapela Doyal lost her long and courageous battle with cancer. Kathryn was born on March 22, 1948 in Buffalo, New York to Sigismund and Lorraine Kapela. During her working career she was a professional secretary or an excellent customer service representative for the Nuclear Test Center in Nevada and several international companies before her final medical transcription career. Her sharp wit, beautiful eyes, caring demeanor, and genuinely remarkable smile made her a hit wherever she went.

She was known by many names in her lifetime including Katy by her husband of over 35 years, Jim Doyal. She was known as Cha-cha Kitty by her sister, Marilyn Tompkins of Great Valley, NY and Marilyn’s daughter Kathryn (KC) Strong and her children, Marilyn and Theodore Strong of Newfane, NY. Called Kathy by her sisters in law, Delora and Beth. Her wonderful daughters, Amanda (Perry,) Meagan and Courtney called her Mom or Katie, but her most cherished name was NaNa given to her by her precious grandchildren; Melea, Gage, Dayton, Jillian, Ty, Jaden, Levi, Isaac, Ilana, Samuel, and Benjamin. She is also NaNa to her four great-grands with two more on the way. Her friends called her Schultzy, Kathie, Katie, and the dancing queen.

Kathryn is probably the most genuine, out-going, loving, unselfish, and caring woman of her generation. She made friends easily with her outstanding ability to make everyone feel comfortable around her. She would know everyone in the room within an hour. Kathryn will be remembered and revered by all those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

The family will receive friends and family in Tallahassee at the visitation on Friday, November 21st from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Culley’s Funeral Home on Timberlane Road and her final mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Thomasville Road at Noon on Saturday, November 22nd.