Theresa "Terry" P. Doyle

Theresa (Terry) P. Doyle, age 86, passed away on October 3, 2023, after a long illness. She was born in county Galway, Ireland and immigrated to the U.S. permanently in 1950 when she went from being a student at the Loretta Abbey boarding school in Dublin to a rural high school in Cobleskill, NY. Terry went on to study at Plattsburgh State University where she received her teaching degree. She taught elementary school in the city of Albany at three different schools - her most rewarding time, teaching at School 9, where she felt there was the most need. With an unbreakable faith and fearlessness, Terry lived her life devoted to the advocacy of those less fortunate. This included her work with the Church of St. Vincent De Paul where she was tremendously dedicated to prison ministry straight into her 80’s. She was also on staff for several years as Director of Faith Formation. Terry actively cared for a Russian family from Tula, for over 30 years. She was known far and wide for her wholehearted determination to help strangers, underdogs, and outliers. Deeply involved in her grandchildren’s lives, Terry brought them to church every Sunday as well as taking them on adventures. She made life interesting and terrifying with a unique sense of humor and fierceness for what she believed was right. She read a prayer list for over 200 people every morning. Terry was a traveler, an avid reader, life-long learner, painter, and she was inspired by the stories of people who have endured and overcome. Terry is predeceased by her parents, John and Angela (Hennelly) O’Toole, and her sister Eileen Cichello. She is survived by her children Tom Doyle (Leslie) and Angela (Doyle) McNerney as well as her grandchildren, Shane, Sean, Dylan, Jessie, Rory & Mary. She is also survived by her brother, Brian O’Toole (Kathy), brother-in-law Sam Cichello and her numerous loving nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 12th from 5-7pm at Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave, Albany and a funeral mass will take place on Friday, October 13th at 11am at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany. A reception following mass for those wishing to gather will be held at Martel’s Restaurant at Capital Hills, 65 O’Neil Road, Albany. A private burial for family members will take place at Cobleskill Rural Cemetery on the following day. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Terry’s favorite organizations: Residents Encounter Christ, info@recrcda.org