Congressman's mother inspired her children

Rosemarie Doyle was a strong believer in education and pushed her children to make the most of themselves, showing a devotion to family that became one of her most notable traits.

Those who knew her also said that Mrs. Doyle — the mother of U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, a Swissvale Democrat — embodied a zest for life.

"She is a warm spirit that we'll miss deeply," said David Lucas, Doyle's chief of staff.

Rosemarie V. Fusco Doyle, of Swissvale, died in her sleep at home on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002. She was 80.

Lucas, who had know Mrs. Doyle for about 10 years, described her as "a great lady and a wonderful woman."

"One thing that I, and I think the family, feels good about, is that she lived a full life and enjoyed life to the fullest," he said.

Mrs. Doyle was the daughter of the late Charles and Lucy Gizzi Fusco, and the wife of the late Michael F. Doyle Sr., She was retired from Mellon Bank, where she worked as a teller in the Rankin branch.

She was an exceptional cook and passed many of her favorite Italian recipes down to her children, the family said. In her later years, she enjoyed presiding over the family's Sunday dinner held alternately at her sons' homes.

Mrs. Doyle also is survived by another son, Dr. Patrick Doyle of Edgewood; two daughters, Donna Keane of Norfolk, Mass., and Beatrice Doyle of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren, Michael, David, Kevin and Alexandra Doyle of Swissvale, Cameron Doyle of Edgewood, and Charles, Katie and Meredith Keane of Norfolk, Mass.; and 14 nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Charles "Brother" Fusco and Madeline Fusco Redpath.

Friends will be received today and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home Inc., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Anselm Church, Swissvale. Interment will be in Braddock Catholic Cemetery, Braddock Hills.