Donna Joy (Hayes) Doyle

Donna Joy Doyle, the matriarch of the Doyle family and a true lioness, passed away at 12:55 pm Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at her home with her loving family at her side.

Donna was born to Carl Hayes and Midred Albright on September 18, 1939. Donna and her four siblings, Richard, Delbert, Carol, and Judy grew up on Hannibal’s South Side. In the summer of 1957 Donna met Dean Doyle and they were married on January 17, 1958 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Hannibal. In July of 1958 their son Chris was born (you do the math) Nine and a half months later Tim was born and eighteen months later Lisa. Donna converted to Catholicism for Dean, however, after having three kids in three years Donna told him, “You can call the church, you can call the Pope, you can call anyone you damn well please, but there’s a new thing called “the pill” and I’m getting on it.”

Throughout life Donna took fashion cues from nobody! She loved cleaning her house and drinking coffee at all hours. The Doyles enjoyed spending their summers on the river. Donna never learned to swim but knew how to water ski. Through the sixties Donna was a homemaker while Dean was the provider.

During this time, women took to the streets, burned their bras, and found their voices. Oh, did Donna find her voice! Despite their foot and a half difference, Dean and Donna became equals. The tape measure may have read 4 foot 10 inches, but we all knew she was 8 feet tall. A new Donna had arrived and this was merely the beginning of “Donna’s Rule.”

From time to time there was a power struggle. Dean and Donna even teased about getting divorced, but never would because they both wanted the same attorney, Marion Wasinger.

In the early 70’s Dean and Donna opened a clothing store with Don McClain called “London Limited”. Later on, Donna and Dean, along with Don and Ann Atkins, helped in founding Prestige Realty, Inc. in 1978 where Donna held her real estate license for several years. Donna and Ann were a lively bunch and ensured the office was a fun environment. Donna’s unique sales strategy and competitive nature allowed her to excel in real estate. She was known for showing buyers only three houses and saying, “That’s all you get, you must pick from these three!” In another transaction Donna was dealing with some big egos that were having trouble negotiating. Donna pointed at each of them saying, “You want to sell and you want to buy, so we are going to get this mother fu***** deal done!”

Later in life, Donna fully embodied her role as “Grammy.” Every Thursday through the summer Donna would take her grandchildren for a day of fun. Grammy days were spent at the movie theater, the Mark Twain Landing, and even Six Flags. But most often Grammy days were spent at the Hannibal Country Club pool.

Donna loved hosting parties, especially her annual Halloween party! All of her parties had to have a theme and usually costumes were required. Donna, being a “shutterbug” had a treasure trove of pictures and videos from those parties, and we suspect most people hope that those will die with her!. As a gag, Donna sent door prizes home with many of her guests that contained live mice. Some guests even accidently released the mice in their cars as they were opening the gift on the way home!

Dean and Donna also loved traveling the world with their friends, visiting Alaska, Europe, Russia, and Australia. Each year they wintered in Fort Myers, where Donna enjoyed browsing all of the local flea markets.

Donna was one of a kind and a firecracker of a woman. She deeply loved her family and would do anything for them. Donna had many of her own rules and “old wives tales” that she lived by including, 1. Never leave the house without earrings on. 2. If you’re feeling sick, eat a greasy hamburger. 3. Never leave a store empty handed. 4. Eat shrimp, they’ll make your boobs grow. 5. Turn up the music.

Donna is survived by her sisters, Judy (Leon) Perry, Carol Scott; her children, Chris (Kristin Veatch) Doyle, Tim (Patty Lennox) Doyle, Lisa (Jack) Kairy; 8 grandchildren, Kari (Scott) Williams, Kory (Megan) Horstmeyer, Alisa (Adam) Hays, Kacey (Ethan) Buckman, Adam (Olivia) Kairy, Jesse (Zach) Smith, Connor (Hailey) Doyle, Clair (Mark) Ruhr; 13 great-grandchildren, Lance, Emmalee, Karsyn, Maddie, Korgan, Kylan, Maisy, Harley, Fallon, Grayson, Renleigh, Patsy Jane, Dean; and an additional 3 great-grandchildren on the way.

We are not sure where Donna is for the afterlife, but we are sure she is working on taking over.

A party with friends and family to celebrate Donna’s life will be held at 2700 Hyacinth on Saturday, September 14 at 6 p.m. Costumes are required (Yes, you heard that right! Costumes are required!)

Cremation arrangements are being handled by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.