Victoria "Vicki" Brighid Doyle-Jones' Obituary
Victoria (Vicki) Brighid Doyle-Jones
May 27, 1945 – October 29, 2022
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” was a truism in the life of Victoria, “Vicki”, Doyle-Jones. From her CPA father, Henry Doyle, Vicki inherited organizational and business skills; from her artist, Hollywood-connected, mother, Constance Garland Harper Doyle, who grew up in the swirl of early twentieth century literary figures, Vicki assumed art talent and the love of social gatherings; and her grandfather, author Hamlin Garland, passed on innate abilities at writing, editing and the clear use of language. We don’t know where she found her passion for animals, natural science, and education, but Vicki was a woman of many gifts and interests, and she shared them, and herself, generously with others with every ounce of her being, always.
Vicki was a lover of all things “horse” from an early age, and had her own horses for many years. Married life meant that her animal companions became smaller, but more numerous, and the hours spent riding and grooming her horses shifted to hours spent training her beloved agility and herding Shelties. She had several strong competitors, but her abiding pride in Hope, her blue-ribbon Sheltie, was immense. Until the end of her life, Vicki was always in the company of her “babies”, they brought her comfort and purpose when she needed it most.
Vicki studied at UCLA, partaking in two summers of educational travel throughout Europe, first as a student, then as a guide. The bits of languages she learned then she never forgot, and those adventures were always remembered by sprinkling the conversation with a bit of German, a word or two of French, and a little Italian thrown in for color. After graduation Vicki became an employee and served the university in science education and administration from 1968 until her move to northern California in 1993, when she provided much the same service in the School of Earth Sciences and other departments at Stanford. Along the way she served as UCLA’s Program Representative for the White Mountain Research Station and was the CEO of their facilities, loving her time in the eastern Sierras and using her hostess and culinary talents to feed armies of students. She used her artistic skill at both universities, as a biological/scientific illustrator, used her writing skill as a technical writer and publisher, and her organizational skill in keeping all the balls in the air – in order.
After retirement from Stanford, Vicki spent several years working for, and then volunteering with, the Santa Clara Valley Science Fair, continuing to serve the need for young people to fall in love with the scientific world. She spent decades volunteering with Northern California Sheltie Rescue and was a “rescuer” and foster mom when needed. She took painting lessons, formed a group of painting friends, and contributed several canvases to her grandfather’s legacy museum. Ever the editor, she edited and published a memoire of her aunt’s and grandfather’s lives. Her surviving life-long companion, for more than 52 years, is her beloved and loving husband, Robert (Bob). A geologist educator at both UCLA and
Stanford himself, their home was often full of academics and former students, and their vacations were often spent flying his plane to remote destinations to enjoy solitude and nature. He supported all her endeavors, encouraging her as she threw herself into projects and interests, including hours spent patiently waiting as she trained as a competitive race walker, or the weeks spent living in British Columbia, an effort to stay connected to her Canadian relatives. In every way, Bob was her devoted soulmate.
Due to illness, in recent months Vicki lost the ability to speak. Her Hollywood side shone out however, and she became adept at communicating with her hands and her expressive face. A vocalizing app helped when needed but she remained a hostess, showing interest in her guests, able to engage in “conversation” and was the center of the party, right up until her body wore out. She lived a life that was full, but far shorter than she wanted it to be.
Vicki is survived by her loving husband, Bob, several nieces and a nephew, cousins, and a devoted collection of friends from all her varied interests. Burial will be private. Remembrances can be made to Northern California Sheltie Rescue, an organization that brought joy to Vicki and with which she spent countless hours. There are many charitable organizations Vicki supported, but animals, and Shelties in particular, were her life-long passion
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