By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
If you don’t know who Alice Doyle is, you must be new in town.
Everyone always knows Alice and she knew everyone because she wasn’t afraid to speak up, meet new people, and ask for what she needed, be it a contribution to a worthy cause or political candidate or a ride to a meeting when her health began failing. She asked and when she did, people not only listened but also delivered.
Alice Doyle, long-term resident, community volunteer and political activist, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 after watching and cheering for her beloved Green Bay Packers. She was 83 years old.
She is survived by her daughter Mary, her sons Matt and Tom. She was preceded in death by her husband Dennis of 40+ years. Her family also wished to thank the staff at Bridgeway Senior Center, who took care of Alice in her declining years.
Alice’s accomplishments are many. She ran for Elmhurst City Clerk in 1987 and won the election by a landslide, then had a stroke and an aneurysm on that very night, which was also her daughter Mary’s 19th birthday.
As part of her recovery Alice began a swimming program at the Elmhurst YMCA, where she went on to become an active Board member and prodigious fundraiser. Angie Flesch, Executive Director of the Elmhurst Y had the pleasure of working with Alice.
“Alice was a true ambassador for the Elmhurst Y. She volunteered her time and talents as a board member, gala chairperson and committee member, water therapy instructor and so much more. She was best known for her never-ending efforts raising money for the Y’s Scholarship Fund. Whether we needed help making phone calls or soliciting donations and sponsorships, Alice was always there to help. She truly was one-of-a-kind and will be remembered in the hearts of all those at the Elmhurst Y who benefited from her efforts.”
In 2013, Tammy Duckworth, who was then representing Illinois’ 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, asked Alice to assist with updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which she did from 2013-17. That experience afforded her the privilege of meeting actor Michael J. Fox at one of Duckworth’s events.
After overcoming her own bout with alcoholism with help from Alcoholics Anonymous, Alice was proud to be a “Friend of Bill’s.” She went on to sponsor many recovering addicts of every age and from every walk of life.
Alice was a longstanding member of the League of Women Voters, supported the Elmhurst Art Museum’s fundraising efforts and worked on the referendum for the current Elmhurst Public Library. In 2013, she was the recipient of the Elmhurst Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
She was also very active in Elmhurst’s Relay for Life. Long-time Relay Chair Anne Sullivan had this to say:
“Alice Doyle had a relentless determination to be a contributing member of our community. I came to know her through our American Cancer Society Relay for Life. For the vast majority of the past 17 years, she ignored her blindness and lack of mobility to solicit donations for our Relay. Each year she and I would collaborate – she would tell me who to write; I’d type and mail the letter, and she would make the calls. If you were on her list, I’d bet you remember! I know I can speak for Alice to say thanks one last time for that support. Our Relay will always be grateful for her efforts, and I will miss her.”
One of her biggest fans among all the candidates she helped politically was County Board member and former Elmhurst mayor Pete DiCianni.
“Alice Doyle was a true friend to the community we call Elmhurst,” he said. “She was always the person to raise her hand, volunteer, always devoting her heart and soul to many great causes and non-profits. She helped me tremendously when I ran for mayor; she never let her stroke hold her back from helping others.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Elmhurst Family YMCA, 211 W. First Street, Elmhurst.
Due to COVID-19, no services are planned at this time, but the family expects to hold a memorial gathering later in the spring. Details will follow.
