Dottie Hoyle

Loving, compassionate, and kind, Dorothy “Dottie” Hoyle lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Dottie welcomed each moment as a gift and every person as a friend. She was tolerant, forgiving, and generous, never hesitating to give what she could to help others. Embodying the principles of her faith, Dottie lived wholeheartedly and offered acceptance, love, peace, and wise advice to those she so dearly loved. She never held a grudge and could be quite persuasive. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Dottie will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the home of Joseph and Santina (Michelini) Giannini as they welcomed their daughter, Dorothy, to their family on August 12, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois.

The youngest of the Giannini children, Dottie was treated favorably by her family. Her father, who was a first-generation Italian-American, worked in the family owned business Giannini Brothers Fruits and Vegetables at the South Water Market in Chicago. Many of his workdays began in the early hours of the morning. Dottie’s mother, who was born in Lucca, Italy, embodied old-world traditions. Dottie learned her work ethic and the importance of family and church from her parents. These values became the firm foundation upon which she lived her entire life.

Along with her older siblings, Margaret (Marge), Jeanne and Joseph, Dottie attended St. Mary’s Church in Evanston, Illinois, the family’s parish, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Dottie graduated from Marywood Academy in Evanston. Her future husband, Hugh Hoyle, attended St. George, also in Evanston. The pair didn’t meet until after Hugh graduated from high school. While Hugh was home from Loras College in Iowa, he accepted a last-minute invite to a party to help even the number of men and women, one of whom was Dottie.

The couple began to date, but Hugh was about to start a three year enlistment in the Army. With a hopeful heart, he asked Dottie if she would wait for him. She said that she would and, unbeknownst to Hugh, told her friends that they were now engaged to be married. Hugh scrambled to accumulate funds for an engagement ring before he left for his military commitment in Marysville, California at Beale, AFB.

Living in California while Dottie was in Illinois proved to be too much for Hugh, so within a couple of years, they were married on May 21, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church. While Hugh was in California, Dottie did all the wedding planning, and so it was said, “All Hugh had to do was show up.”

In time, the happy couple was blessed to welcome eight children to their family: Joseph, Mary, Timothy, Michael, Barbara, Andrew, Daniel and Catherine. Dottie and Hugh were on the same page when it came to their family, bringing their children up in the church, structuring their home with tight rules, discipline, and a lot of love. Dottie mainly ran the house, and the children were given chores to help out. An exemplary mother, Dottie made sure school lunches were packed, and breakfasts and dinners were lovingly prepared. With so many mouths to feed, Dottie learned to stretch a dollar and make the household budget work.

In 1971, Hugh took a job in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and purchased their home on Maple Street. It was there where the family shared good times and bad, and endless celebrations. Modeling Christian love, kindness, and hospitality, Dottie had an open-door policy, welcoming children, friends, and anyone who was in need.

Two of the first people Dottie and Hugh met when they moved to Kalamazoo were Joe and Ann Buckley and they became instant best friends. Dottie was very social and a friend to many. Her lifelong friends from grade school, Bernie, Marion, Peggy, Irene, Annie, and Ann, were aunts to her children. In her example, Dottie’s children and grandchildren all learned how to form and nurture great friendships.

In addition to taking care of the house, Dottie also worked full-time at W-L Molding. Though she had many responsibilities and people to tend to, Dottie made time to ensure each family member felt special. In quieter times at home, Dottie indulged in a good romance novel.

Catholic celebrations were enjoyed throughout the year. Birthdays were made special as everyone got their favorite cake.

Dottie’s faith was central to her life. She was actively involved in the St. Augustine parish and a choir member for 35 years. For several years, Dottie enjoyed weekly luncheons with ladies from the church. She prayed daily for many people over the years, and her family often said that she didn’t have to slide into heaven. Instead, St. Peter rolled out the red carpet for her.

In their golden years, Dottie and Hugh enjoyed traveling. They made a memorable trip to Europe, exploring England, France, Italy, and Ireland. While in Italy, they visited Lucca, the city Dottie’s family was from. They especially enjoyed Rome and the Vatican.

As Dottie’s health declined, she was lovingly cared for by her family, and with the support of Visiting Angels, Centrica, and very special caregivers, Ebony and Sandy, showing much kindness and love, Dottie was able to remain in her home per her wishes.

Loved and cherished by many, Dottie was an inspiration to all who knew her. As we celebrate her beautiful life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In each moment we choose faith over fear, lead with our hearts, meet life’s challenges with confidence and hope, and cherish each moment spent with family and friends, we keep her memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us.

Dottie passed away in the early hours of Saturday, February 24, 2024, in the comforts of her home with family by her side.

Dottie was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Elizabeth and siblings: Margaret Palmer, Jeanne Eaton, and Joseph Giannini. Surviving family members include her husband of 68 years, Hugh; 7 children: Joe (Peggy) Hoyle, Tim (Kathy) Hoyle, Mike Hoyle, Barb (Mark) Novak, Andy (Donna) Hoyle, Danny (Andria) Hoyle, Catherine Palin; Anthony Palin; 14 grandchildren: Sasha, Erin, Christopher, Kara, Melissa, Jeffrey, Tyler, Ryan, Michael, Matthew, Troy, Hugh, Celia, Will; 10 great-grandchildren: Alex, Jackson, Stefon, Felix, Jacob, Kayla, Anna, Alyssa, Austin, Valerie; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Sunday, March 3 from 2-5 pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Mass will be held at 11 am on Monday, March 4 at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W Michigan Ave. Burial will follow at the Mt. Home Cemetery next to her daughter, Mary. Visit Dottie’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and sign her guestbook.