Updated 14 March 2019
BIOGRAPHY
Born 13 October 1893, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
Father's name: Manuel Mitchell, Mother's name: Maggie Reily (or Keiley?) Mitchell
Reference: California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 (Ancestry.com)
1900 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mitchell family
Father – Manuel Mitchell, born April 1861, place Azores, Portugal; Immigration 1886; Occupation Railroad baggageman
Mother – Maggie Mitchell, born March 1865, birthplace Illinois
Daughter – Ella, age 12, born March 1888, birthplace California
Daughter – Marie, age 10, born April 1890, birthplace California
Daughter - Carmelita, age 6, born Oct 1893, birthplace California
Home: 112 Chestnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
1920 US Federal Census reflects that Carmelita Mitchell, whose father was born in Azores & mother in Illinois, is living with the Warren family in Belmont, San Mateo County, CA; her marriage status is "single." Carmelita's occupation/industry is listed as teacher in a private school.
Carmelita married Dr John J.L. Doyle on 30 August 1920 in Belmont, CA
Reference: California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999 (Ancestry.com)
John Joseph Lalor Doyle; born 2 July 1893 in Carlow, Ireland; his wife Carmelita born in San Jose, CA.
1930 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the John & Carmelita Doyle family
Household head: John J.L. Doyle, age 36, born Ireland Free State, Immigration Year 1918, naturalized, Occupation – Physician, Veteran of World War I
Wife Carmelita Mitchel Doyle, age 36, age at 1st marriage – 25, father's birthplace Azores, mother's birthplace - Illinois
Daughter Patricia M, age 5, born California
Daughter Mary V, age 3, born California
Son – John M, age 1, born California
Other household members: Marie K. Doyle – sister, age 38; Cora M. Hill – servant, age 47, widowed
Home: 4742 Fourth Street, Chico, CA
Carmelita and John had three children, all in Chico, CA: Patricia Marie (Reynolds), 20Jan1925-23Nov2013; Mary Virginia (Roach), 7Jan1927-10Nov2005; and John Mitchell, 9Aug1928-1Jun2012. Carmelita and John divorced in the early 1930s.
1940 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mrs Carmelita Mitchel Doyle family:
Head: Carmelita M Doyle, age 43, Marriage status – divorced, highest education completed – college, 5th year, Occupation/industry – intake clerk at Butte County hospital
Daughter: Patricia M, age 15
Daughter: Mary V, age 12
Son: John M. age 11
Other household members: Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler, age 54, housekeeper
Home: 322 W. Mansion Ave, Chico, CA; residence in 1935–same house
The period 1930s-1953
At the time of its centennial, Chico's Catholic parish published a history of its first one hundred years, "Pulpit and Pew – A Centennial History of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 1878 – 1978" which includes an entry in the section, Parish Life, Past and Present, on page 73 which reads, "For most of the 1930's, Mrs Carmelita Doyle, wife of Dr. J.L. Doyle, was organist and choir director, and the choir began to grow, becoming very active in both a musical and social sense. Parties were often held – in 1934 for example the men of the choir surprised the ladies one evening after a rehearsal with a tamale supper. Outside musicians were brought in to join the choir on special occasions. Mr Hal Denny played his violin often, and an orchestra joined in for the High Mass at Christmas and Easter.
The choir became large enough so that more room was needed in the choir loft. Mr Stanley Keyawa and a crew from Diamond Match took it upon themselves to enlarge the loft, and in the process of moving what they thought was a large pipe organ, they discovered that the pipes were false and the sound was coming from below the organ. This simplified moving the organ, and it was placed so that Mrs. Doyle could face the choir and direct it while she played. A mirror was used so that she could see the altar.
Pope Pius XI had announced in 1926 his favor of congregational music. Perhaps because of this, hymn cards were printed in March 1934, for St John's parish through the efforts of the choir and interested people. They were used for congregational singing, beginning with Stations of the Cross on Friday after they arrived.
Tony Borges joined the choir in 1933 undr Mrs. Doyle, and was soon singing tenor solos. When Mrs Doyle left Chico in the laste 1930's, Tony took over as the choir director."
(From a narrative written by Mrs Doyle's daughter, Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds, in 2001 and given to Bob Simmons describing the role in the Doyle household of his grandmother, Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler):
"Phillis Fowler went to the Parish priest of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico and told him of her difficult situation and her desire to find a home for herself and daughter in Chico. Her husband having died two years earlier in a railroad accident in Kansas, she was looking for a place where she could work for board and room for her and her daughter. Father John B. Dermody, the priest, said to her, "You are the answer to our prayers. My organist and choir director is in need of a live-in housekeeper and someone to care for her three children, ages, 7, 5 and 3 ½. The lady she has will be leaving to take care of her own grandchildren." The family he referred to was the Carmelita Mitchell Doyle family at 4640 Mansion Ave (later renumbered 302 West Mansion Ave) in Mansion Park, Chico.
Mrs Doyle interviewed Phillis and immediately hired her. Pat Doyle Reynolds nearly 70 years later, well remembers the day of the interview. As the eldest of the three Doyle children, she was always given the responsibility to ascertain that the other two did not say anything out of line. Mrs Doyle found a home for Mary Virginia around the corner from the Doyle home and her mother. She had room and board in exchange for some housework and carrying for the children of the Terry Family, Joy and twins Patsy and Peggy. The home was within easy walking distance of Chico High School, approximately four blocks.
Mrs Doyle could not stay at home because it was necessary for her to work. Phillis was like a second mother to the three Doyle children; sewing, baking, cooking, washing, ironing and assisting the kids with their studies and music practice. Her hands were never still. When she listened to the radio in the evening, or helped with their homework, she was always making something for a member of the family. She was quarantined with the children through measles, and scarlet fever.
In the summer time the Doyle family stayed in Paradise to get away from the Sacramento Valley heat. Mrs Doyle, at the time had a 1931 Model A Ford. Mrs Doyle and Phillis and the three children, Patricia, Jack & Mary Virginia-"Teeny", as well as all of the clothes and supplies for the summer were piled in the car for the trip to the mountains. Both women were terrible drivers, although Mrs Doyle was the worst and would scream as she drove around the many curves through the mountains.
In 1943, Mrs Doyle, accompanied by Phillis moved to live in the Bay Area in an apartment in Richmond, California where Mrs Doyle was working in the shipyards as a counselor. From there, they moved to 2498 Fordham Street, Rollingwood, San Pablo, California (just outside of Richmond) where Mrs Doyle had purchased a house. They lived there from about 1946 to 1953. Jack, Virginia (Teeny) and Pat lived there part time until Jack went into the Air Force in 1946, Teeny into the Navy in 1949 and Pat to the Air Force in 1953 after graduation from San Jose State University. [End of Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds' comments]
1954 Richmond, CA City Directory includes on pg 178 an entry: Mrs Carmelita M. Doyle, Inspector – Richmond Housing Authority; her home is at 161 S 20th, Richmond.
Records maintained at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery reflect that Carmelita M. Doyle passed away in Great Falls, Montana on 2 June 1955.
PICTURES:
- To see the caption with a specific picture, place cursor on the picture and double click left.
- To see all of the pictures saved with this biography, click on the link "Click here to view all images," which is just below the three (3) pictures and the "Add a Photo for this person" box.
- To save one of the pictures to your computer, double click right on the picture you want to save, and then save it to your computer.
DIRECTIONS TO CRYPT. Mrs Doyle's ashes are interred in Holy Cross Mausoleum, corridor 5, crypt 601 of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is accessible 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, daily. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery is at 1500 Mission Road in Colma, California (generally south San Francisco, adjacent to Daly City and just east of I-280). If arrive at the cemetery via "Mission Road," turn north into the cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is near the top (north) of the cemetery, and caps the cemetery's main road which includes two traffic circles. Enter the mausoleum main entrance (middle of the south side of the mausoleum); walk past the statue of Christ. Before the altar turn to the left (west) and then proceed approx. 25' to the first corridor on the left (south). The no. 5 is emblazoned in the floor at the entry way to the corridor. Upon entering the corridor, Crypt 601 containing the ashes of Mrs Doyle is on the immediate left, the first column of seven crypts; her's is the sixth from the bottom (just below the top crypt).
BIOGRAPHY
Born 13 October 1893, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
Father's name: Manuel Mitchell, Mother's name: Maggie Reily (or Keiley?) Mitchell
Reference: California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 (Ancestry.com)
1900 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mitchell family
Father – Manuel Mitchell, born April 1861, place Azores, Portugal; Immigration 1886; Occupation Railroad baggageman
Mother – Maggie Mitchell, born March 1865, birthplace Illinois
Daughter – Ella, age 12, born March 1888, birthplace California
Daughter – Marie, age 10, born April 1890, birthplace California
Daughter - Carmelita, age 6, born Oct 1893, birthplace California
Home: 112 Chestnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
1920 US Federal Census reflects that Carmelita Mitchell, whose father was born in Azores & mother in Illinois, is living with the Warren family in Belmont, San Mateo County, CA; her marriage status is "single." Carmelita's occupation/industry is listed as teacher in a private school.
Carmelita married Dr John J.L. Doyle on 30 August 1920 in Belmont, CA
Reference: California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999 (Ancestry.com)
John Joseph Lalor Doyle; born 2 July 1893 in Carlow, Ireland; his wife Carmelita born in San Jose, CA.
1930 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the John & Carmelita Doyle family
Household head: John J.L. Doyle, age 36, born Ireland Free State, Immigration Year 1918, naturalized, Occupation – Physician, Veteran of World War I
Wife Carmelita Mitchel Doyle, age 36, age at 1st marriage – 25, father's birthplace Azores, mother's birthplace - Illinois
Daughter Patricia M, age 5, born California
Daughter Mary V, age 3, born California
Son – John M, age 1, born California
Other household members: Marie K. Doyle – sister, age 38; Cora M. Hill – servant, age 47, widowed
Home: 4742 Fourth Street, Chico, CA
Carmelita and John had three children, all in Chico, CA: Patricia Marie (Reynolds), 20Jan1925-23Nov2013; Mary Virginia (Roach), 7Jan1927-10Nov2005; and John Mitchell, 9Aug1928-1Jun2012. Carmelita and John divorced in the early 1930s.
1940 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mrs Carmelita Mitchel Doyle family:
Head: Carmelita M Doyle, age 43, Marriage status – divorced, highest education completed – college, 5th year, Occupation/industry – intake clerk at Butte County hospital
Daughter: Patricia M, age 15
Daughter: Mary V, age 12
Son: John M. age 11
Other household members: Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler, age 54, housekeeper
Home: 322 W. Mansion Ave, Chico, CA; residence in 1935–same house
The period 1930s-1953
At the time of its centennial, Chico's Catholic parish published a history of its first one hundred years, "Pulpit and Pew – A Centennial History of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 1878 – 1978" which includes an entry in the section, Parish Life, Past and Present, on page 73 which reads, "For most of the 1930's, Mrs Carmelita Doyle, wife of Dr. J.L. Doyle, was organist and choir director, and the choir began to grow, becoming very active in both a musical and social sense. Parties were often held – in 1934 for example the men of the choir surprised the ladies one evening after a rehearsal with a tamale supper. Outside musicians were brought in to join the choir on special occasions. Mr Hal Denny played his violin often, and an orchestra joined in for the High Mass at Christmas and Easter.
The choir became large enough so that more room was needed in the choir loft. Mr Stanley Keyawa and a crew from Diamond Match took it upon themselves to enlarge the loft, and in the process of moving what they thought was a large pipe organ, they discovered that the pipes were false and the sound was coming from below the organ. This simplified moving the organ, and it was placed so that Mrs. Doyle could face the choir and direct it while she played. A mirror was used so that she could see the altar.
Pope Pius XI had announced in 1926 his favor of congregational music. Perhaps because of this, hymn cards were printed in March 1934, for St John's parish through the efforts of the choir and interested people. They were used for congregational singing, beginning with Stations of the Cross on Friday after they arrived.
Tony Borges joined the choir in 1933 undr Mrs. Doyle, and was soon singing tenor solos. When Mrs Doyle left Chico in the laste 1930's, Tony took over as the choir director."
(From a narrative written by Mrs Doyle's daughter, Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds, in 2001 and given to Bob Simmons describing the role in the Doyle household of his grandmother, Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler):
"Phillis Fowler went to the Parish priest of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico and told him of her difficult situation and her desire to find a home for herself and daughter in Chico. Her husband having died two years earlier in a railroad accident in Kansas, she was looking for a place where she could work for board and room for her and her daughter. Father John B. Dermody, the priest, said to her, "You are the answer to our prayers. My organist and choir director is in need of a live-in housekeeper and someone to care for her three children, ages, 7, 5 and 3 ½. The lady she has will be leaving to take care of her own grandchildren." The family he referred to was the Carmelita Mitchell Doyle family at 4640 Mansion Ave (later renumbered 302 West Mansion Ave) in Mansion Park, Chico.
Mrs Doyle interviewed Phillis and immediately hired her. Pat Doyle Reynolds nearly 70 years later, well remembers the day of the interview. As the eldest of the three Doyle children, she was always given the responsibility to ascertain that the other two did not say anything out of line. Mrs Doyle found a home for Mary Virginia around the corner from the Doyle home and her mother. She had room and board in exchange for some housework and carrying for the children of the Terry Family, Joy and twins Patsy and Peggy. The home was within easy walking distance of Chico High School, approximately four blocks.
Mrs Doyle could not stay at home because it was necessary for her to work. Phillis was like a second mother to the three Doyle children; sewing, baking, cooking, washing, ironing and assisting the kids with their studies and music practice. Her hands were never still. When she listened to the radio in the evening, or helped with their homework, she was always making something for a member of the family. She was quarantined with the children through measles, and scarlet fever.
In the summer time the Doyle family stayed in Paradise to get away from the Sacramento Valley heat. Mrs Doyle, at the time had a 1931 Model A Ford. Mrs Doyle and Phillis and the three children, Patricia, Jack & Mary Virginia-"Teeny", as well as all of the clothes and supplies for the summer were piled in the car for the trip to the mountains. Both women were terrible drivers, although Mrs Doyle was the worst and would scream as she drove around the many curves through the mountains.
In 1943, Mrs Doyle, accompanied by Phillis moved to live in the Bay Area in an apartment in Richmond, California where Mrs Doyle was working in the shipyards as a counselor. From there, they moved to 2498 Fordham Street, Rollingwood, San Pablo, California (just outside of Richmond) where Mrs Doyle had purchased a house. They lived there from about 1946 to 1953. Jack, Virginia (Teeny) and Pat lived there part time until Jack went into the Air Force in 1946, Teeny into the Navy in 1949 and Pat to the Air Force in 1953 after graduation from San Jose State University. [End of Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds' comments]
1954 Richmond, CA City Directory includes on pg 178 an entry: Mrs Carmelita M. Doyle, Inspector – Richmond Housing Authority; her home is at 161 S 20th, Richmond.
Records maintained at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery reflect that Carmelita M. Doyle passed away in Great Falls, Montana on 2 June 1955.
PICTURES:
- To see the caption with a specific picture, place cursor on the picture and double click left.
- To see all of the pictures saved with this biography, click on the link "Click here to view all images," which is just below the three (3) pictures and the "Add a Photo for this person" box.
- To save one of the pictures to your computer, double click right on the picture you want to save, and then save it to your computer.
DIRECTIONS TO CRYPT. Mrs Doyle's ashes are interred in Holy Cross Mausoleum, corridor 5, crypt 601 of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is accessible 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, daily. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery is at 1500 Mission Road in Colma, California (generally south San Francisco, adjacent to Daly City and just east of I-280). If arrive at the cemetery via "Mission Road," turn north into the cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is near the top (north) of the cemetery, and caps the cemetery's main road which includes two traffic circles. Enter the mausoleum main entrance (middle of the south side of the mausoleum); walk past the statue of Christ. Before the altar turn to the left (west) and then proceed approx. 25' to the first corridor on the left (south). The no. 5 is emblazoned in the floor at the entry way to the corridor. Upon entering the corridor, Crypt 601 containing the ashes of Mrs Doyle is on the immediate left, the first column of seven crypts; her's is the sixth from the bottom (just below the top crypt).
Updated 14 March 2019
BIOGRAPHY
Born 13 October 1893, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
Father's name: Manuel Mitchell, Mother's name: Maggie Reily (or Keiley?) Mitchell
Reference: California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 (Ancestry.com)
1900 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mitchell family
Father – Manuel Mitchell, born April 1861, place Azores, Portugal; Immigration 1886; Occupation Railroad baggageman
Mother – Maggie Mitchell, born March 1865, birthplace Illinois
Daughter – Ella, age 12, born March 1888, birthplace California
Daughter – Marie, age 10, born April 1890, birthplace California
Daughter - Carmelita, age 6, born Oct 1893, birthplace California
Home: 112 Chestnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
1920 US Federal Census reflects that Carmelita Mitchell, whose father was born in Azores & mother in Illinois, is living with the Warren family in Belmont, San Mateo County, CA; her marriage status is "single." Carmelita's occupation/industry is listed as teacher in a private school.
Carmelita married Dr John J.L. Doyle on 30 August 1920 in Belmont, CA
Reference: California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999 (Ancestry.com)
John Joseph Lalor Doyle; born 2 July 1893 in Carlow, Ireland; his wife Carmelita born in San Jose, CA.
1930 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the John & Carmelita Doyle family
Household head: John J.L. Doyle, age 36, born Ireland Free State, Immigration Year 1918, naturalized, Occupation – Physician, Veteran of World War I
Wife Carmelita Mitchel Doyle, age 36, age at 1st marriage – 25, father's birthplace Azores, mother's birthplace - Illinois
Daughter Patricia M, age 5, born California
Daughter Mary V, age 3, born California
Son – John M, age 1, born California
Other household members: Marie K. Doyle – sister, age 38; Cora M. Hill – servant, age 47, widowed
Home: 4742 Fourth Street, Chico, CA
Carmelita and John had three children, all in Chico, CA: Patricia Marie (Reynolds), 20Jan1925-23Nov2013; Mary Virginia (Roach), 7Jan1927-10Nov2005; and John Mitchell, 9Aug1928-1Jun2012. Carmelita and John divorced in the early 1930s.
1940 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mrs Carmelita Mitchel Doyle family:
Head: Carmelita M Doyle, age 43, Marriage status – divorced, highest education completed – college, 5th year, Occupation/industry – intake clerk at Butte County hospital
Daughter: Patricia M, age 15
Daughter: Mary V, age 12
Son: John M. age 11
Other household members: Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler, age 54, housekeeper
Home: 322 W. Mansion Ave, Chico, CA; residence in 1935–same house
The period 1930s-1953
At the time of its centennial, Chico's Catholic parish published a history of its first one hundred years, "Pulpit and Pew – A Centennial History of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 1878 – 1978" which includes an entry in the section, Parish Life, Past and Present, on page 73 which reads, "For most of the 1930's, Mrs Carmelita Doyle, wife of Dr. J.L. Doyle, was organist and choir director, and the choir began to grow, becoming very active in both a musical and social sense. Parties were often held – in 1934 for example the men of the choir surprised the ladies one evening after a rehearsal with a tamale supper. Outside musicians were brought in to join the choir on special occasions. Mr Hal Denny played his violin often, and an orchestra joined in for the High Mass at Christmas and Easter.
The choir became large enough so that more room was needed in the choir loft. Mr Stanley Keyawa and a crew from Diamond Match took it upon themselves to enlarge the loft, and in the process of moving what they thought was a large pipe organ, they discovered that the pipes were false and the sound was coming from below the organ. This simplified moving the organ, and it was placed so that Mrs. Doyle could face the choir and direct it while she played. A mirror was used so that she could see the altar.
Pope Pius XI had announced in 1926 his favor of congregational music. Perhaps because of this, hymn cards were printed in March 1934, for St John's parish through the efforts of the choir and interested people. They were used for congregational singing, beginning with Stations of the Cross on Friday after they arrived.
Tony Borges joined the choir in 1933 undr Mrs. Doyle, and was soon singing tenor solos. When Mrs Doyle left Chico in the laste 1930's, Tony took over as the choir director."
(From a narrative written by Mrs Doyle's daughter, Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds, in 2001 and given to Bob Simmons describing the role in the Doyle household of his grandmother, Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler):
"Phillis Fowler went to the Parish priest of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico and told him of her difficult situation and her desire to find a home for herself and daughter in Chico. Her husband having died two years earlier in a railroad accident in Kansas, she was looking for a place where she could work for board and room for her and her daughter. Father John B. Dermody, the priest, said to her, "You are the answer to our prayers. My organist and choir director is in need of a live-in housekeeper and someone to care for her three children, ages, 7, 5 and 3 ½. The lady she has will be leaving to take care of her own grandchildren." The family he referred to was the Carmelita Mitchell Doyle family at 4640 Mansion Ave (later renumbered 302 West Mansion Ave) in Mansion Park, Chico.
Mrs Doyle interviewed Phillis and immediately hired her. Pat Doyle Reynolds nearly 70 years later, well remembers the day of the interview. As the eldest of the three Doyle children, she was always given the responsibility to ascertain that the other two did not say anything out of line. Mrs Doyle found a home for Mary Virginia around the corner from the Doyle home and her mother. She had room and board in exchange for some housework and carrying for the children of the Terry Family, Joy and twins Patsy and Peggy. The home was within easy walking distance of Chico High School, approximately four blocks.
Mrs Doyle could not stay at home because it was necessary for her to work. Phillis was like a second mother to the three Doyle children; sewing, baking, cooking, washing, ironing and assisting the kids with their studies and music practice. Her hands were never still. When she listened to the radio in the evening, or helped with their homework, she was always making something for a member of the family. She was quarantined with the children through measles, and scarlet fever.
In the summer time the Doyle family stayed in Paradise to get away from the Sacramento Valley heat. Mrs Doyle, at the time had a 1931 Model A Ford. Mrs Doyle and Phillis and the three children, Patricia, Jack & Mary Virginia-"Teeny", as well as all of the clothes and supplies for the summer were piled in the car for the trip to the mountains. Both women were terrible drivers, although Mrs Doyle was the worst and would scream as she drove around the many curves through the mountains.
In 1943, Mrs Doyle, accompanied by Phillis moved to live in the Bay Area in an apartment in Richmond, California where Mrs Doyle was working in the shipyards as a counselor. From there, they moved to 2498 Fordham Street, Rollingwood, San Pablo, California (just outside of Richmond) where Mrs Doyle had purchased a house. They lived there from about 1946 to 1953. Jack, Virginia (Teeny) and Pat lived there part time until Jack went into the Air Force in 1946, Teeny into the Navy in 1949 and Pat to the Air Force in 1953 after graduation from San Jose State University. [End of Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds' comments]
1954 Richmond, CA City Directory includes on pg 178 an entry: Mrs Carmelita M. Doyle, Inspector – Richmond Housing Authority; her home is at 161 S 20th, Richmond.
Records maintained at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery reflect that Carmelita M. Doyle passed away in Great Falls, Montana on 2 June 1955.
PICTURES:
- To see the caption with a specific picture, place cursor on the picture and double click left.
- To see all of the pictures saved with this biography, click on the link "Click here to view all images," which is just below the three (3) pictures and the "Add a Photo for this person" box.
- To save one of the pictures to your computer, double click right on the picture you want to save, and then save it to your computer.
DIRECTIONS TO CRYPT. Mrs Doyle's ashes are interred in Holy Cross Mausoleum, corridor 5, crypt 601 of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is accessible 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, daily. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery is at 1500 Mission Road in Colma, California (generally south San Francisco, adjacent to Daly City and just east of I-280). If arrive at the cemetery via "Mission Road," turn north into the cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is near the top (north) of the cemetery, and caps the cemetery's main road which includes two traffic circles. Enter the mausoleum main entrance (middle of the south side of the mausoleum); walk past the statue of Christ. Before the altar turn to the left (west) and then proceed approx. 25' to the first corridor on the left (south). The no. 5 is emblazoned in the floor at the entry way to the corridor. Upon entering the corridor, Crypt 601 containing the ashes of Mrs Doyle is on the immediate left, the first column of seven crypts; her's is the sixth from the bottom (just below the top crypt).
BIOGRAPHY
Born 13 October 1893, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
Father's name: Manuel Mitchell, Mother's name: Maggie Reily (or Keiley?) Mitchell
Reference: California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 (Ancestry.com)
1900 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mitchell family
Father – Manuel Mitchell, born April 1861, place Azores, Portugal; Immigration 1886; Occupation Railroad baggageman
Mother – Maggie Mitchell, born March 1865, birthplace Illinois
Daughter – Ella, age 12, born March 1888, birthplace California
Daughter – Marie, age 10, born April 1890, birthplace California
Daughter - Carmelita, age 6, born Oct 1893, birthplace California
Home: 112 Chestnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
1920 US Federal Census reflects that Carmelita Mitchell, whose father was born in Azores & mother in Illinois, is living with the Warren family in Belmont, San Mateo County, CA; her marriage status is "single." Carmelita's occupation/industry is listed as teacher in a private school.
Carmelita married Dr John J.L. Doyle on 30 August 1920 in Belmont, CA
Reference: California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999 (Ancestry.com)
John Joseph Lalor Doyle; born 2 July 1893 in Carlow, Ireland; his wife Carmelita born in San Jose, CA.
1930 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the John & Carmelita Doyle family
Household head: John J.L. Doyle, age 36, born Ireland Free State, Immigration Year 1918, naturalized, Occupation – Physician, Veteran of World War I
Wife Carmelita Mitchel Doyle, age 36, age at 1st marriage – 25, father's birthplace Azores, mother's birthplace - Illinois
Daughter Patricia M, age 5, born California
Daughter Mary V, age 3, born California
Son – John M, age 1, born California
Other household members: Marie K. Doyle – sister, age 38; Cora M. Hill – servant, age 47, widowed
Home: 4742 Fourth Street, Chico, CA
Carmelita and John had three children, all in Chico, CA: Patricia Marie (Reynolds), 20Jan1925-23Nov2013; Mary Virginia (Roach), 7Jan1927-10Nov2005; and John Mitchell, 9Aug1928-1Jun2012. Carmelita and John divorced in the early 1930s.
1940 US Federal Census (Ancestry.com) reflects for the Mrs Carmelita Mitchel Doyle family:
Head: Carmelita M Doyle, age 43, Marriage status – divorced, highest education completed – college, 5th year, Occupation/industry – intake clerk at Butte County hospital
Daughter: Patricia M, age 15
Daughter: Mary V, age 12
Son: John M. age 11
Other household members: Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler, age 54, housekeeper
Home: 322 W. Mansion Ave, Chico, CA; residence in 1935–same house
The period 1930s-1953
At the time of its centennial, Chico's Catholic parish published a history of its first one hundred years, "Pulpit and Pew – A Centennial History of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish, 1878 – 1978" which includes an entry in the section, Parish Life, Past and Present, on page 73 which reads, "For most of the 1930's, Mrs Carmelita Doyle, wife of Dr. J.L. Doyle, was organist and choir director, and the choir began to grow, becoming very active in both a musical and social sense. Parties were often held – in 1934 for example the men of the choir surprised the ladies one evening after a rehearsal with a tamale supper. Outside musicians were brought in to join the choir on special occasions. Mr Hal Denny played his violin often, and an orchestra joined in for the High Mass at Christmas and Easter.
The choir became large enough so that more room was needed in the choir loft. Mr Stanley Keyawa and a crew from Diamond Match took it upon themselves to enlarge the loft, and in the process of moving what they thought was a large pipe organ, they discovered that the pipes were false and the sound was coming from below the organ. This simplified moving the organ, and it was placed so that Mrs. Doyle could face the choir and direct it while she played. A mirror was used so that she could see the altar.
Pope Pius XI had announced in 1926 his favor of congregational music. Perhaps because of this, hymn cards were printed in March 1934, for St John's parish through the efforts of the choir and interested people. They were used for congregational singing, beginning with Stations of the Cross on Friday after they arrived.
Tony Borges joined the choir in 1933 undr Mrs. Doyle, and was soon singing tenor solos. When Mrs Doyle left Chico in the laste 1930's, Tony took over as the choir director."
(From a narrative written by Mrs Doyle's daughter, Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds, in 2001 and given to Bob Simmons describing the role in the Doyle household of his grandmother, Mrs Phillis Marie (ALDERSON) Fowler):
"Phillis Fowler went to the Parish priest of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico and told him of her difficult situation and her desire to find a home for herself and daughter in Chico. Her husband having died two years earlier in a railroad accident in Kansas, she was looking for a place where she could work for board and room for her and her daughter. Father John B. Dermody, the priest, said to her, "You are the answer to our prayers. My organist and choir director is in need of a live-in housekeeper and someone to care for her three children, ages, 7, 5 and 3 ½. The lady she has will be leaving to take care of her own grandchildren." The family he referred to was the Carmelita Mitchell Doyle family at 4640 Mansion Ave (later renumbered 302 West Mansion Ave) in Mansion Park, Chico.
Mrs Doyle interviewed Phillis and immediately hired her. Pat Doyle Reynolds nearly 70 years later, well remembers the day of the interview. As the eldest of the three Doyle children, she was always given the responsibility to ascertain that the other two did not say anything out of line. Mrs Doyle found a home for Mary Virginia around the corner from the Doyle home and her mother. She had room and board in exchange for some housework and carrying for the children of the Terry Family, Joy and twins Patsy and Peggy. The home was within easy walking distance of Chico High School, approximately four blocks.
Mrs Doyle could not stay at home because it was necessary for her to work. Phillis was like a second mother to the three Doyle children; sewing, baking, cooking, washing, ironing and assisting the kids with their studies and music practice. Her hands were never still. When she listened to the radio in the evening, or helped with their homework, she was always making something for a member of the family. She was quarantined with the children through measles, and scarlet fever.
In the summer time the Doyle family stayed in Paradise to get away from the Sacramento Valley heat. Mrs Doyle, at the time had a 1931 Model A Ford. Mrs Doyle and Phillis and the three children, Patricia, Jack & Mary Virginia-"Teeny", as well as all of the clothes and supplies for the summer were piled in the car for the trip to the mountains. Both women were terrible drivers, although Mrs Doyle was the worst and would scream as she drove around the many curves through the mountains.
In 1943, Mrs Doyle, accompanied by Phillis moved to live in the Bay Area in an apartment in Richmond, California where Mrs Doyle was working in the shipyards as a counselor. From there, they moved to 2498 Fordham Street, Rollingwood, San Pablo, California (just outside of Richmond) where Mrs Doyle had purchased a house. They lived there from about 1946 to 1953. Jack, Virginia (Teeny) and Pat lived there part time until Jack went into the Air Force in 1946, Teeny into the Navy in 1949 and Pat to the Air Force in 1953 after graduation from San Jose State University. [End of Patricia (DOYLE) Reynolds' comments]
1954 Richmond, CA City Directory includes on pg 178 an entry: Mrs Carmelita M. Doyle, Inspector – Richmond Housing Authority; her home is at 161 S 20th, Richmond.
Records maintained at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery reflect that Carmelita M. Doyle passed away in Great Falls, Montana on 2 June 1955.
PICTURES:
- To see the caption with a specific picture, place cursor on the picture and double click left.
- To see all of the pictures saved with this biography, click on the link "Click here to view all images," which is just below the three (3) pictures and the "Add a Photo for this person" box.
- To save one of the pictures to your computer, double click right on the picture you want to save, and then save it to your computer.
DIRECTIONS TO CRYPT. Mrs Doyle's ashes are interred in Holy Cross Mausoleum, corridor 5, crypt 601 of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is accessible 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, daily. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery is at 1500 Mission Road in Colma, California (generally south San Francisco, adjacent to Daly City and just east of I-280). If arrive at the cemetery via "Mission Road," turn north into the cemetery. Holy Cross Mausoleum is near the top (north) of the cemetery, and caps the cemetery's main road which includes two traffic circles. Enter the mausoleum main entrance (middle of the south side of the mausoleum); walk past the statue of Christ. Before the altar turn to the left (west) and then proceed approx. 25' to the first corridor on the left (south). The no. 5 is emblazoned in the floor at the entry way to the corridor. Upon entering the corridor, Crypt 601 containing the ashes of Mrs Doyle is on the immediate left, the first column of seven crypts; her's is the sixth from the bottom (just below the top crypt).
Inscription
Carmelita Mitchell Doyle
1893 - 1955
