Gizella A. Doyle

Gizella Anne Doyle passed away on September 21, 2021 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA.

She was born on July 9, 1943 in New Rochelle, NY, the daughter of Anne J. Heintz and Peter Heintz, Jr.

Giz attended St. Gabriel’s High School in New Rochelle, NY and was a class of 1961 graduate. She was active in basketball and orchestra where she played the violin. After high school, Giz attended Berkeley Secretarial School on a work scholarship graduating in 1962.

Later in life, she resumed her studies at Berkshire Community College. She graduated in 1997 with an Associates in Arts, Business Administration degree. In 2001, she graduated from Massachusetts College of the Arts with a BSBA. She graduated cum laude and was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Her desire to learn and educate herself continued throughout her life. She had a basic grasp on seven languages and was writing her first novel at her death. Her college accomplishments were acknowledged by the Berkshire Eagle and North Adams Transcript because her studies and participation in the classroom was done by her interacting with her computer since she had lost her ability to speak in 1987. She was a tenacious self-advocate via her exceptional computer skills for searching and finding paths to meet her own social, healthcare, and residential needs.

In spite of her physical disabilities, Giz led a full and dynamic life enjoying happiness and humor with everyone and everything around her.  She enjoyed her independent living status and experienced trips to the Medjugorje Shrine in Croatia praying for recovery and Cape Cod enjoying the sun and beaches. She became well known among the staff of the stores at Price Chopper and Dollar Store as everyone helped her with her daily shopping errands.  She also recorded vinyl records to tapes to be shared with listeners on local radio WSBS.

Before her disabilities, Giz was an accomplished horsewoman and loved her horses, Zar and Lady, while she lived with her family on Prospect Lake.  She was also an active EMT with the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad.

Giz truly enjoyed the staff at Berkshire County Arc group home in Dalton, MA. This was her last home and they provided excellent care and great camaraderie while she resided there.

Giz is survived by her children William E. Doyle Jr. and husband Thomas Mirabile of Brooklyn, NY, Thomas Arthur Doyle of Mount Washington, MA, Anne Louise (Doyle) Dargie of Mount Washington, MA, and Christopher William Doyle and wife Nicole Gaines of Huntsville, AL. She is also survived by her siblings Louise (Heintz) Garrison of Falmouth, MA and Stephen Andrew Heintz and wife Libby of Guilford, CT. She also leaves behind her two grandchildren Cam Dargie and Harley Dargie as well as many nieces and nephews.

Giz was predeceased by her parents and her brother Peter Joseph Heintz.

SERVICES – The family invites friends for visiting hours on Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, MA. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 9:30am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Great Barrington, MA with interment to follow at 2:00pm at Beechwood Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Berkshire County Arc in care of the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com