Sharon Lee Doyle

Sharon Lee Doyle passed away at home, after an extended illness, surrounded by family on March 12, 2024. Sharon was born on December 30, 1940 and grew up on a country farm located on the Yelm Highway. She attended Hayes Elementary School, a two-room school house, and transferred to the Olympia Schools in the fifth grade. In 1958, during her senior year, Sharon left school to marry Ron Allen and dedicated herself to raising a young family. She later went back to school taking night classes to obtain a high school diploma.

Sharon was a goal oriented and driven business woman. She started working with her husband in their photography business, Ron Allen Photography, as a bridal consultant. She assisted with all aspects of weddings from photography planning to invitations, accessories and sewing wedding gowns. With her long-time friend, Patti Brock, she opened “Catering by Candlelight”, a catering business that specialized in weddings.

After separating from her first husband in 1970, Sharon went to work at Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB) in the Olympia business office. In 1973 she married John M. (Jack) Doyle, PNB General Manager, and went on to work at the Triune Corporation as a secretary and property manager, where she obtained her real estate license. She began her career in real estate with Evergreen Olympic Realty, later affiliated with Coldwell Banker, where she achieved top sales awards and placed in the top 1% internationally with Coldwell Banker and being named in “Who’s Who of Top Real Estate Agents”. After leaving Coldwell Banker, she worked as a referring agent at Virgil Adams Real Estate until retiring in 2000.

Sharon was heavily involved in the community. She and Jack were parishioners at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, she was a member of the Olympia Historical Commission, a board member of Providence St. Peter Hospital Foundation and Washington Center for the Performing Arts, a member of the Olympia Chapter of the Fred Hutch and Tom Dooley Children’s Hospital Guild until 2019. Together with three other business women, Sharon formed Capital Lake Investment Club in the early 1980s, and with husband Jack formed Bay Investment Club for couples. Both clubs are still going strong today. With friend, Vickie McCray, she started an Olympia chapter of the Red Hat Society, The Red Haute n’ Tots.

After retiring, Sharon and Jack were active golfers at the Olympia Golf and Country Club and later Indian Summer. They enjoyed travelling throughout the United States and Europe and wintered in Rancho Mirage, California. While in the Palm Springs area, Sharon served on many committees as well as the board at their residential community. She chaired numerous themed parties and volunteered at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre.

Sharon was a creative and talented seamstress. Over the years she sewed beautiful table cloths, napkins, pillows, doll clothes and adorable teddy bears for all the family members. She was known for her bead work and beautiful evening bags that she made for friends, family and charity events.

Sharon was an avid reader and took a great interest in researching family history and genealogy. She thoroughly enjoyed being able to meet her second and third cousins across the US and visited several family grave sites. We are grateful that Sharon wrote a book and a cookbook to help preserve many family memories and origins for generations to come.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Jack Doyle, parents Jesse and Shirley Canady, and step-son Marty Doyle. She is survived by her three children: Cheryl Frable (Scott) of Tenino, Carolyn Blalock (Darrell) of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Jeff Allen (Rosa) of Tacoma, and two stepchildren: Susan Ciarelli (Robert, deceased) of Port Orchard, and Mike Doyle (Claudia) of Grand Coulee. Sharon is survived by her sister, Kathy Good (Dick) from Boistfort. She is also survived by grandchildren: Sara Conine, Hunter Blalock (Diana), Jordan Allen, Kelli Raleigh (Devin), Taylor Doyle, Kacie Ciarelli and Gillian Ciarelli, and great granddaughter Diana Rose Blalock.

At her request, there will only be a small graveside service for immediate family members. The family would ask in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Olympia Guild of Fred Hutchinson.