One the best ladies ever, Joanne Doyle, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2012

[Brian Manzella]

They say behind every great man is a great woman, and that was never more true than in the case of my teacher Ben Doyle. Joanne Doyle, quite simply of the finest human beings I ever had the pleasure of knowing, passed away yesterday in San Francisco.


Ben and Joanne married in 1955, and had three daughters, Susan, Dianna, and Lynda. They have many grandkids, and I think a couple of greats.


I started working with Ben in 1987, and met Joanne in 1989. Ben and I attended dozens of national teaching seminars together, and Joanne came to many of them. She had to listen to some of my stories quite a few times, as we'd always have some new guys having dinner with us, and thought I was a hoot. I spent quite of bit of time at their house over the years, and a lot of time talking to Joanne. We talked on the phone a lot, almost every time that I called for Ben, which was hundreds of times over the years. Joanne always pulled for me and my career, and my long search for a good wife. When I met Lisa, she was about as happy for me as anyone else I knew.


She was an incredibly smart lady, working at the York Prep school for many years. She could be quite funny, and was about as wise as anyone I ever met. If she was ever wrong about something she told me about well in advance of its conclusion, I don't remember it.


All I know is how much she meant to Ben's Boys: Gregg McHatton, myself, Billy McKinney, Bobby Schaeffer, Mike Finney, Tom Bartlett, Chris Hamburger, Michael Jacobs, Chuck Cook, and Tom Ness (and many, many others).


She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In October of 2010. From left, Steve Khatib, Michael Jacobs, Ben Doyle, Joanne Doyle, Brian Manzella

 

[Jared Willerson]

Sorry to hear that Brian.

 

[Kevin Shields]

Never easy. Condolences to the Doyles.

 

[mgranato]

Sad to hear. Sounded like everyone who knew her was better for it.

 

[jpvegas1]

Condolences as well

 

[Bigwill]

My condolences also to everyone touched by this.

 

[jimmyt]

Condolences.....Brian

 

[tongzilla]

Sad. I hope Ben will get an abundance of support from family and friends.

 

[geoplaten]

Sorry for your loss, please pass along our condolences. I remember speaking with Ben when I ordered his video years ago - I was shocked when he answered the phone, and he actually starting asking me questions about my game. I'm not surprised someone like him would find someone else equally special.

 

[Tom Losinger]

Sorry to hear this. Condolences to all who knew her.

 

[Leozevo]

Very sorry to hear that Joanne Doyle passed away. Had the chance to meet her several times and she was a true delight to talk to.
She was a very special lady. May she rest in peace. What is going to happen with Ben and his teaching.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Very sorry to hear that Joanne Doyle passed away. Had the chance to meet her several times and she was a true delight to talk to.
She was a very special lady. May she rest in peace. What is going to happen with Ben and his teaching.

She was great.


I will do my best to pass any info about Ben along on this site.

 

[MikeD2]

My thoughts are with Ben and his family. An incredible loss to a man who has meant so much to the game of golf.

 

[Tom Bartlett]

Joanne A. Doyle passed away at Arden Wood, a Christian Science Nursing Facility in San Francisco, California on May 13, 2012.

*Joanne was born*in Bellingham, Washington, on*November 12, 1934, the first daughter of Ernest Aikens Smith and Mabel Louella*Hickok Smith. She attended*the University of*Oregon*where she studied art and design.*At home in Bellingham, Joanne met Bentley Joseph Doyle, who was attending Western Washington University at the time. They were married in 1955 and they lived in the Seattle area until 1972 when the family moved to Monterey, California, where Ben became a full time*professional golf instructor.

Shortly after their move, Joanne went to work at York School, where she eventually became*the*Registrar and Director of*Admission. All three of Joanne’s daughters attended York in their high school years, in addition to her two oldest grandchildren. Joanne retired in*2006*and was honored with a special gift: a chair engraved with "Joanne Doyle: Her love inspires, illumines, and leads the way.” This passage is taken from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Even those who hardly knew Joanne appreciated her loving nature and*unceasing*patience. She brought such joy to every activity – from baking her famous apple pies to creating a new knitting pattern or playing a round of golf with her husband. She loved to read, and she was a passionate movie-goer. Friends and family especially remember her distinctive and frequent laughter.

After her retirement, Joanne enjoyed spending time with her family in addition to traveling with her sister, Carol Ann Conrad, and Carol’s husband, Robert.

Joanne leaves behind her husband, Bentley, three daughters: Susan Kay Mundle, Diana*Doyle*Van Vleck and Lynda Doyle Baldauf, three sons-in-law: Jeffrey Alan Mundle, Jon Van Vleck and Lasse Baldauf, a sister, Carol Ann Conrad, and six grandchildren: Bentley Alan Mundle, Kaitlin Elisabeth Mundle, Maija Joanne Baldauf, Amy Irja-lea Baldauf, Drew Alison Van Vleck, and Mason Bradley Van Vleck. She is also survived by two nieces: Jennifer Loree Fowler and Marilee Alison Cipra and their families, in addition to many loving friends.*

*Just as the York community acknowledged at her retirement ceremony, Joanne never failed to inspire everyone around her, light up the room, and most certainly lead the way.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m. on June 8*at York School in Monterey, California. En lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joanne Doyle Scholarship at York School.