“Because I knew you I have been changed for the good”
These are lyrics from Pat’s favorite play Wicked and how true they were.
Patricia E. Doyle National Life Member, died unexpectedly on Wednesday June 26, 2012. She was the loving daughter of the late William & Patricia Doyle; sister of Michael (Joanna) Doyle and Cherished aunt of Meaghan, Brian and Jill. Pat was a member of the LAOH NYS Board, LAOH Nassau County, Div. 15 (Past President) for over 25 years and has served our Order at many levels including National (1996-2012) & NYS Legal Counsel. Pat worked on many issues for the LAOH: Constitution Convention, Election procedures, and our “Protecting God’s Children” Policy to name a few. She used her talents to calm people and always preached forgiveness. She was a woman of great faith and truly a Lady who lived our motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. Many of our members have very fond memories of Pat; she was always available to talk with and was a mentor to many of her sisters.
In 2007 Pat was honored as an Aide to The Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2010 Pat received the highest honor given by the LAOH, a “National Life Membership” from the LAOH National Board for her many years of service and dedication to our Order.
Pat served as a Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound, RCIA Team, former member of the Parish Council, and a volunteer at her parish, St. Edward’s Confessor Church of Syosset. Pat was signed up to sell zeppoles at this year’s Parish Fair; but Pat just couldn’t sell the zeppoles she had to learn how to make the zeppoles; that was Pat. She was a “very religious woman” who was heavily involved in her parish. According to her neighbor, Bill Nouza, “She was just a wonderful person. We live next door and my wife was visited by her every Saturday in the nursing home for about an hour and a half. She brings food over to the house; she’s just a very giving person”.
She took great pride in her Irish Heritage and her Catholic Faith. Pat has been playing the bagpipes with Tara Pipes and Drums since 1984. Playing the Pipes have provided many great opportunities as well as a lot of fun – marching in the annual NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, playing onboard the USS Intrepid, playing annually for the veterans at the VA Hospital in Northport and playing annually at the Opening Ceremonies for the New York State Games for the Physically Challenged, to name only a few.
Pat was born in a NYC Taxi cab in Bronx, NY, soon afterward her family moved to Nassau County. Pat attended St. Raphael School in E. Meadow & Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead. Pat received an Associate Degree from SUNY Farmingdale, a Bachelor and Master Degrees from Long Island University, CW Post Campus where she graduated with honors. She attended the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America, in Washington, DC. While attending law school, she worked part-time at a law firm in Maryland and worked at the Justice Department administering the Public Safety Officers Benefits Act. After receiving her Jurist Doctor in 1982, Pat returned to Nassau County and opened her own law firm in 1984. She maintained a general practice of law and became increasingly more involved in representing children in the Nassau County Family Court. Pat was a Certified Member of the Law Guardian Panel, Appellate Division, Second Department, 1984 to 1991. In 1991, Doyle was selected as a full-time attorney in the Family Court. Pat Doyle has been very active in several lawyers’ organizations. She is a member of the NYS Bar Association, Past President of the Nassau Lawyers Assn of Long Island and a member of the Steering Committee of the Family Law and Procedure Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Pat was well versed in all areas of Family Law and has lectured extensively for the Appellate Division and numerous Bar Associations. In March 2005 Pat was appointed Court Attorney Referee; Nassau County Family Court where she worked until her death.
Condolences and memories of Pat have been received from all over our country. At Pat’s wake many of her sisters spoke of their memories and friendships with Pat. PNP Mary Leathem said she was her best friend and sister in both the LAOH and in life. Pat’s friend, Maureen M., filled us in on several tidbits; did you know Pat was born in a NYC taxi cab? Did you know Pat preferred a hamburger to a steak? Did you know Pat’s favorite movie was “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Her friend Aggie told us that as much as Pat was a ‘by the book’ type person that all seemed to vanish when it came to keeping golf scores. PNP Margaret Hennessy stated “Pat served this Order untiringly for so many years and her knowledge and dedication to it will be greatly missed”. To our friend and sister Pat, it is true, “because we knew you we have been changed for the good”. Till we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.