Debra Doyle, PhD [30 November 1952-31 October 2020]

Posted byjamesdmacdonaldPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , ,

It is with great sorrow that I report that Debra Doyle, my beloved bride of 42 years, died this evening at 1841 hours. She died of an apparent cardiac event, at home, in my arms.

Doyle at Hadrian's Wall
Doyle at Hadrian’s Wall

Update, 01NOV20:  GoFundMe for funeral expenses (organized by Pippin)

60 thoughts on “Debra Doyle, PhD [30 November 1952-31 October 2020]”

  1. Oh Uncle Jim, I’m so so sorry. Thinking of you with much love. Will raise a glass to her.

  4. Kim and Bev Rudeen are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts. We miss the days of the SF Cons and you and Debra. Take care Jim.

  8. I am stunned and saddened. Many prayers for you and your family. Many fond memories of times gone by.

  9. Profoundly saddened by this terrible news. All my sympathy.

  11. Deepest Sympathies and our love to you and the family, Jim.

  13. I’m so sorry to hear that, Jim. What a devastating thing. She was an amazing person, and so are you. Take care of yourself.

  14. We are so sorry to hear this, Jim. We will miss her so much. Sending you and the family all our sympathies.

    Fran & Tom

  15. I am so sorry for your loss, and for the loss to your family, and for the loss we have all experienced. Your shared presence in the SF community helped shape my experience there, and the glimpse of Debra, in the Hucksters Room or on a panel, was like coming home.

  16. 🌹After following you both on SFF.net and ML and other social media these last 20 years, you and Debra had long since become Real People to me and this loss leaves a gap in my mental universe. I always confuse All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, but prayed for Debra and for you and the family this morning at church. May her memory be for a blessing.

  17. I have been trying, off and on, for thirty years, to find you. This is not how I wanted to do it. I am so sorry for you. Please be well. – Alric

  19. Jim, I’m shattered. I’ve known you and Debra for years, and raised a glass with both of you . I’ll raise another in Debra’s memory. I’m not religious, so no prayers, but you have all the good wishes I can muster.
    ______
    Dennis

  20. May God bless you with delightful and loving memories to comfort you in this tragic loss. I’m so glad you were able to be holding her and loving her.

  22. My reaction seeing Keith Stokes’ post in SFFnet on Facebook was “NO!”

    I cherish the memories of conversations , of going to movies at the end of conventions, of reading online posts and the joint Doyle-Macdonald stories and books.

    My extreme sympathies to Jim, and Kat, Brendan, Pippin, and Alex.

  24. So sorry to hear this, Jim. She’ll live on in your memories.

  26. I’m very sorry to hear it. We have lost touch over the years but I fondly remember her wit, intelligence, and warmth. She was a great lady.

  27. I’m so sorry for your loss, and for the loss to our community. Debra was one of the people I wanted to be when I grow up, and your partnership was one of the constants in my SF/F world even now.

  30. I am so very sorry to hear this news – the SF community is diminished by her loss. May her memory be for a blessing and may fond memories help you through this difficult time.

  31. Jim, I’m heartbroken. She was an extraordinary woman, and you an extraordinary couple. Her loss will be deeply felt by all who ever had the good fortune to know her, online as well as in person.
    I’m glad you were together at the last.

  32. I’m saddened. I remember her from the SCA, and Dick learned from both of you at your writing workshop and always wanted to go back.

  33. I’m sorry for your loss. I will miss her, she was a highlight of my Dreamwidth regular reading page.

  35. My sincere condolences for you and your family, and hope that the days ahead will finally brighten. She was a friend of mine for a long time and we fell out of touch when my career sidelined the SCA until my retirement. If there is anything I can do that is helpful, from Charleston SC at any rate, let me know.
    Robert Himmelsbach, aka Geoffrey D’Ayr.

  36. I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you comfort and grace. May her memory be for a blessing.

  37. My prayers and thoughts are with you. So many of us are sending them. I hope you can feel them wrapped around you.

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  40. So very sorry. She was a force for good in the world, and a warrior for kindness. I raise my glass to Debra, and extend my hand to you and the family.

  41. A true shock! No words are sufficient to express how sorry I am! Love and strength to you and the entire family at this dark time.

  43. My sincerest sympathies. She was a wonderful poet and composer, and her works will be remembered, along with her name. May God comfort you in your loss.

  44. I am so sorry to read this, Jim. Your wife was a special woman and will be greatly missed. You have my deepest sympathy and as many prayers as you can hold.

  46. I am sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of her at SF conventions. She will be missed.

  47. I was horrified to read this yesterday. I knew her for sixteen years on LiveJournal and then Dreamwidth. She was a stalwart there. My condolences. I wish you love and strength.

  48. So very sorry, Jim. I fondly remember meeting you both in IRL in Dallas after so many years together online. She was gracious and fun.

  49. Jim, I’m so sorry. When I saw the picture at the top of the page, I almost started to cry–I remember you and Debra talking about the trip to Hadrian’s Wall, and how excited she was about the whole trip. I guess that’s what I remember best about Debra–her adventurous, forthright spirit. She was a remarkable person and I’m grateful to have known her.

  50. Oh, Jim, I’m so sorry for this devastating loss. You and Debra will always be part of our Apanage family. Sending love, good thoughts, and prayers to you and her family, and to Debra’s spirit as well. May her memory be a blessing.

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