Roberta Elaine Doyea

Roberta passed away peacefully with her family and lifelong friends by her side, September 18, 2023, at the age of 66, in Tacoma, WA.  She fought a courageous 15-year battle with NMO/TM and lung cancer.  Ultimately, her long hard fight ended after she suffered a stroke during a surgical procedure.

Roberta was born in Goldendale, WA to Harry Doyea and Vivian Doyea (LaCoursiere) and was the sixth of eight siblings.  She moved to Tacoma, WA in 1969 at the age of 12.  She graduated from Stadium High School and went on to have a career in Project Management Banking.  She started her career at McChord/Harborstone Credit Union in 1987.  She moved to Atlanta, GA in 1995 and over a 13-year span she worked for Fidelity National Bank, Equifax Card Solutions, InfiStar, First Data, and GE.

In 2008, after experiencing a loss in vision and extreme pain in her legs, Roberta was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called NeuroMyelitis Optica (NMO)/Transverse Myelitis (TM).  In 2009, she was additionally diagnosed with lung cancer and had surgery to remove it.  She then moved back to Tacoma, in 2010, to undergo chemotherapy and be with family to help with her care.  Through all of this, Roberta maintained a positive attitude and a zest for living. She loved and cherished making memories with family and friends.

Roberta is survived by her sisters: Priscilla Wolfe (Jack), Shirley Benoit (James), Sharon Doyea Newberry (Mick), Marie Doyea, and brother, Bryan Doyea (Carrie), sister-in-law, Ursula Doyea, 30 nieces/nephews and many cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her father, Harry A. Doyea, her mother, Vivian O. Doyea, and her brothers, Roger Harry Doyea and Robert Henry Doyea.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Oct 28, 2023.  A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the VFW, 4741 N. Baltimore St, Tacoma, WA.  Interment will be in Spring 2024 at Calvary Cemetery in Yakima, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in support of NeuroMyelitis Optica and its Spectrum Disorders at the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation.  Please dedicate your donation gift in memory of Roberta Doyea.  100% of all donations go toward research to find a cure for NMO/TM.

https://guthyjacksonfoundation.org/campaigns/roberta-elaine-doyea/