Eleanore "Tommy" Boyle Doonan

Eleanore “Tommy” Boyle Doonan passed away peacefully on Monday, August 21, 2023, at the age of 97. Eleanore was full of grace, vitality, and deep spiritual devotion. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was respected and adored by all who knew her, whether it was in a personal or professional capacity. Eleanore was born on December 28, 1925, in Milford, Michigan where she grew up the second of five children born to Edwin and Eleanor Boyle. She was steadfast in her faith and attended daily Mass from a young age. After graduating from high school in 1943, she attended Marygrove College. During the summer of 1944 during WWII, she worked at a Bomber Plant as a “Rosie Riveter” with her sister Pat. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in mathematics in 1947 and moved to New York City to work in statistical research at Merrill Lynch. She enjoyed her years living and working in NYC. It was during this time that she taught herself how to make her famous apple pies when she couldn’t find a decent bakery to buy pastries. Eleanore was married to the love of her life, Francis Bernard Doonan, for over 50 years. After years of knowing each other from his visits to Milford where his uncle was the parish priest, and corresponding as friends during the war, their love story began in early 1947. They married on June 18, 1949, at the parish where they first met in Milford. They moved to La Grange, Illinois where they started their family of ten children. They lived in Illinois, Louisiana, California, and Washington during their 50 years of marriage, eventually settling in Houston, Texas in 1977. She was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for many years. She faithfully served others by bringing communion to those unable to attend mass both at home and in retirement communities. In 1973, Eleanore began her second career after raising her family by becoming a revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service. She went back to school to obtain her degree in accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant. She had a 25-year career, retiring in 1998 as an Appeals Officer-International Tax Specialist and receiving the Albert Gallatin award, the Treasury’s highest career service award. Following her retirement, Eleanore became a regular volunteer and chaplain at Memorial Hermann Hospital, ultimately leading their volunteer board. She made wonderful friends through her volunteering at the hospital and enjoyed their camaraderie. She was always on the go, and she inspired so many with her enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest and never slowing down. She is preceded in death by her husband, Francis Bernard Doonan, her parents, Edwin and Eleanor Boyle, her siblings Patsy Wilbur, Dennis Boyle, Milly Webb, and Joanie Butler. She is survived by her ten children, 25 grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren: Daughter Mary Clare and husband Fred Bishop, Christy and husband Michael Greenberg (Cole, Remi, and Evie), Toby Cole (Gage and Parker), and Johanna and husband Quen Willis (Alyssa, Dominic, and Ciara). Son Francis Doonan Jr and Sherrie Canada, Bridget Doonan and husband Bernardo Garcia. Son Tim Doonan and wife Kathy, Kerry and husband Dave Marzoni (Tanner and Tyler), Emily and husband Jeremy Blundo (Colin Doonan), and Kelsey and husband Justin Watlington (Sterling, Esmae and Lane). Daughter Nina and husband Pat Iglinsky, Patrick Iglinsky Jr and wife Angie (Grace, Beatrice, Amelia, and Penelope), and Johnny Iglinsky and wife Yvette (Zoe, Peyton, Kolby, and Duke). Daughter Patty Doonan, Nacol and husband Nick Waligura (Thomas Kane and Shane), and Alan Favalora and wife Amy (Maddie, Mae, and Timothy). Son Thomas Doonan and wife Patti, Andrew Doonan and wife Kelly (Andrew Jr), and Caitlin and husband Peyton Wyatt. Daughter Ellie and husband John Landon, Katie and husband Adam Glovitz (Adam Michael, Campbell, Reagan, and baby Jack Francis), Carly and husband Bobby Huffman (Emma and Robert V), Maddie and Rusty Landon. Daughter Joanne and husband Dan Krohn, Kyle, Jackie and Kellie Krohn. Daughter Maureen Pollock, Austin Pollock and wife Bogan (Cameron and Skylar), and Sean Pollock. Daughter Carol and husband Paul Williamson, Thomas, Walker and Ellie Williamson. Visitation and Rosary will be on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. with Rosary beginning at 7 p.m., St. John Vianney Catholic Church Ars Chapel, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77079. Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 10:30 am at St. John Vianney Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77079 with a reception immediately following in the Community Center. A private burial will occur for family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Eleanore’s memory to Magnificat House (mhihouston.org), SJV Social Services Ministries (stjohnvianney.org/give/donate/), or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (st.jude.org).

Eleanore "Tommy" Boyle Doonan

December 28, 1925 - August 21, 2023