Mary Doyle

Mary Christine Christy Doyle, devoted and loving wife of Brian Doyle, and proud mother of Jesse Jeremiah Doyle, went to be with her beloved Jesus at 5:31 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2011, at Carpenter House, Baton Rouge. She was preceded in death by two miscarried children a stillborn son, Joseph James sister, Madeline Clifford and aunt, Marian Munday. She was the treasured daughter of the late Jack C. and Charlotte Clifford, who were of Park Ridge, Ill. In addition to her husband and son, she leaves behind three brothers, John Clifford, Walter Clifford and Paul Clifford, all from the Chicagoland area. She also leaves behind two nephews, Shawn Clifford and Tommy Clifford and a niece, Maddie Clifford. Christy also recently lost two sistersinlaw, Maria B Clifford and Elena Clifford whom she absolutely adored, to cancer. Christy was diagnosed with Lupus Erithmytosus when she was in her late 20s. She met her husband, Brian, in Alcoholics Anonymous in New York City, where she was pursuing an acting career, and she remained sober for her final 32 years on this Earth. She died at age 55 from a stroke. She also miraculously survived a triple aortic dissection in 2003. Throughout all of her sufferings, she never failed to vigorously proclaim her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ despite her intense trials. Christy was raised in Park Ridge and graduated from Regina Dominican High School. She then attended Roger Williams College, Bristol, R.I., where she studied theater. She eventually graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC with a bachelors of art degree in theater. She then studied acting with the legendary Sanford Meisner at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse. While working in theater in New York City, Christy was awarded a Meritorious Service Award by the mayor for performing live plays in SRO Single Room Occupancy Hotels, often in hallways and in difficult conditions and sometimes dangerous circumstances, just to bring live theater to the poor. She appeared on daytime dramas and also did film work, in addition to many off Broadway theater productions. She left her secular career behind to follow her husband, Brian, into ministry, which involved a period of time when she taught English at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D. She then followed her husband to Mooresville, N.C., where she served as a pastors wife. A Baton Rouge resident since 1987, Christy not only acted in and directed Christian drama in various churches, she also wrote over 100 short plays, many of which were published in collections of works by Lifeway, the former Southern Baptist Sunday School Board. She was also a regular contributor to their now defunct National Drama Service Magazine. Christy also wrote numerous columns in the former Faith and Values as well as the Human Condition sections of The Advocate, Baton Rouge, and was also published in Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. Christy was a member of Istrouma Baptist Church, where she was drama director for several years. She had previously served in the same capacity at Parkview Baptist Celebration Service, and for a brief time at First Presbyterian Church. She was a Bible study enthusiast who loved spending time in the Scriptures and who lived to worship Jesus. She will be sorely missed by so many whose lives she touched for Him. Friends and family are invited to visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Tuesday, July 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at Istrouma Baptist Church, 10500 Sam Rushing Drive, on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ron Lamb. Entombment in the mausoleum at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Friday, August 12, 2011
5pm9pm

Service

Visitation

Istrouma Baptist Church
10500 Sam Rushing Rd
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, August 13, 2011
9am11am

Istrouma Baptist Church
10500 Sam Rushing Rd
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, August 13, 2011
11am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816