Claudia Doyle

Claudia passed away into the loving arms of her savior Jesus Christ, Jan. 23, 2015, with family by her side, after a 35- year battle with cancer.

Claudia Kay McLoughlin was born March 10, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, Wash., on March 12, 1943. She was adopted by Stanley and Virginia Chapman of Portland. They later moved to Bend, Ore., where she was raised and attended Bend School. She also attended Central Oregon Community College and the University of Oregon.

In 1962, she met the love of her life, Leo Doyle. They married Sept. 14, 1963, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Bend. Their two oldest sons, Kevin and Stephen Doyle, were born at St. Charles Hospital in Bend. In 1967, they moved to Walla Walla, where their daughter Angela and son Bryan were born at St. Mary Hospital. Throughout the years, she enjoyed family camping and fishing trips and years of traveling to her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. The family trips to Hawaii and the Oregon Coast were some of her most treasured memories.

Claudia was a member of the Walla Walla Country Club and The Elks Club. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Republican Women’s Organization, Assumption Home and School Association, Walla Walla and DeSales high school booster clubs, and served on the board for Children’s Home Society. For many years Claudia was active with Assumption and DeSales fundraising projects and many school activities.

In 1988 Claudia opened “Especially Yours” gift shop, which moved to The Depot next to Jacobi’s. Claudia loved serving her many customers throughout the years until ill health forced her to close the shop. On Sept. 14, 2014, she and Leo celebrated 51 years of marriage together.

Claudia is survived by her husband, Leo; three sons and one daughter: Kevin (Christy), Stephen (Wendy), Bryan (Melita) and Angela (Matt) Fishback; sister-in- law, Teresa Brock Lyons; brother-in-law, Steven Brock; cousins, Charles (Theresa) Smith, Richard (June) Smith, Karen (Gordon) Smith, and Robin Thompson; and grandchildren, Sammy and Matthew Doyle, Ryan and Moriah Doyle, Jonathon, Joey and Christopher Fishback, and Keziah, James and Daniel Doyle. She is preceded in death by Stanly and Virginia Chapman, Clara and Charles Smith, Charles and Almina Smith, Wilbur and Bonnie Smith, Leslie and Clara Chapman, and Frank and Kate Chapman.

Claudia’s love of the Lord began at a very early age when her grandparents, Charles and Clara Smith, introduced her to the teaching of the Methodist Church. In her younger years, she attended church, Bible study and Methodist Youth Fellowship. She was active in MFY and was a counselor and attended both Suttle Lake and Camp Magrudor on the Oregon coast. Her favorite Bible scripture was Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.” She joined the Catholic Church when she married Leo in 1963, and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walla Walla for many years after moving from Bend. She currently attended Walla Walla Valley Cowboy Church in Walla Walla.

There will be a memorial service Feb. 7, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene, 717 E. Alder, Walla Walla. Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Home Society, Christian Aid Center or a charity of your choice.