Mildred Doyle Payne

Mildred Doyle Payne, 78- years-old, died on October 7th 2018, at 3:52 a.m. in her home in Craig County, Virginia. After her valiant fight with Lung Cancer in 2010. Mildred’s battle resumed in July 2017 with Stage 3 Lung Cancer that spread to her bones, and eventually metastasizing to Stage 4 Brain Cancer. With a strong will to live, and an unwavering will to give up hope Mildred continued treatments of grueling Chemotherapy and radiation without success. In Mildred’s last weeks she found comfort with her family, her Lewis Gale 4-East and other friends, and grandchildren. Although, being affected by the horrendous disease, she still found a way to light a room with her welcoming, and contagious laughter. Mildred was born on March 14, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Michael and Mildred Doyle. She is the middle child of 6 Irish, Roman Catholic children. She is survived by Michael and Georgia Doyle of Florida, John and Cheryl Payne of Florida, William and Elizabeth McCall of Pennsylvania, Anthony “Tony” and Deborah Doyle. Mildred is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her older sister Helene Doyle; and her infant son Michael Francis Payne; and Godson Christopher Garruto. Known for her passion of loving and caring for others, Mildred opened her doors to what is known as “Mildred’s home for wayward girls.” Mildred became a foster mother in Oceanside, California. Taking in abused teenage girls giving them a place to live, feeding them and most importantly showing them what true parental love was. Her passion for caring and nurturing people inspired her to go back to school and get her Registered Nursing Degree. This passion to nurture, not only her children and her wayward girls, it also gave her joy to work as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. It brought joy, compassion, and laughter to her heart that will never be forgotten. After leaving Oceanside, California and moving to Virginia Mildred became a home health nurse, where she found that same desire to care for people. It was her ultimate gift to this world. Her last job was at Lewis Gale 4-East where she made long lasting friendships that she will carry on with her. As an adolescent girl, Mildred attended Little Flower High School. Little Flower Catholic High School is best remembered for her basketball talents and singing is the girls’ choir. Mildred was the youngest girl and started as freshman point guard for the High School Basketball team. Little Flower averaged an attendance of 3,000 girls. Mildred’s love for sports carried on as she attended all of her granddaughter, Suzanne’s, sporting events. With the loudest cheer, biggest smile and the most encouragement not only for her granddaughter but the other teammates as well. After graduating high school she married Francis Patrick Payne of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 2nd 1960. She is survived by her three beautiful daughters. Shawn Marie Toolin Barbour (John Barbour), Jeanne Marie Payne Dailey (Erick Dailey), Michele Denise Payne Gillespie (James William Gillespie Sr.) Mildred has 12 grandchildren (Jeanne) Sean Gans, Jamie Gans, Jason Gans, Lisa Sulfaro, John Sulfaro, Timothy Newlin, Gabriel Newlin, and Victoria Newlin. (Michele) Molly Triplett, James William Gillespie Jr., Hayley Gillespie, and lastly, Suzanne Gans whom Mildred raised as her own daughter. Mildred also had 15 great grandchildren. However, she was extremely close to 6 of them Logan, Dylan, Emmett, Macy Doss, Aiden, and Gavin. She leaves many friends and once wayward step-daughters in Oceanside. The most significant friends near and dear to heart are Erica and Richard Tewes, Carol and Tory Lystra, Carl Samuelson, Shannon Miller, Ruth Johnson and Tom Gans. In the last days of Mildred’s fight, she lived it peacefully, with a smile, funny jokes, and listening to violin music which reminded her of a time when her youngest daughter. Michele played this and other favorite songs for her enjoyment. Mildred was everything to her granddaughter, Suzanne, who will find comfort knowing she is no longer suffering. She would want us to remember that peace exists, it lives in everything that we hold dear. That, those we love, do not go away they walk beside us every day unseen, unheard, but are always near, still loved, still missed and very, very dear. Unfortunately, Mildred’s home for wayward girls, is now permanently closed, she will always be with each of you. Mildred would want people to remember “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never ends.” -1 Corinthians 13:7

Mildred Doyle Payne

March 14, 2018 - October 7, 2018