PORTLAND — Mary Jean (Holmgren) Doyle, 79, of Wyman Township, passed away Monday, May 3, 2010, at Seaside Nursing Home in Portland after a period of failing health due to complications from lung cancer.

She was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Ann Arbor, Mich., the daughter of Walter Edward and Elsie Rebecca (Nicholson) Holmgren.

Mary Jean, known as “MJ” to her friends, was an avid skier who loved the Sugarloaf area, having lived there for the past 20 years at her camp in Stony Brook. She spent many years earlier in Gardiner, Maine. Her kindness and generosity were known by all who were welcomed in to her home. Mary Jean was a lover of animals, having owned many dogs, two horses, and spent countless hours filling her various bird feeders. A voracious reader, Mary Jean also volunteered at the Stratton Public Library. She enjoyed many outdoor activities with her friends, family and dogs. Having traveled extensively as a child and young adult, she found herself most at home in nature, particularly Lake Temiskaming in Ontario, Canada, the mountains of Colorado, and the many lakes, rivers and mountains of Maine.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jean was predeceased by her two sisters and a brother.

She is survived by daughter, Mary Kathryn (Sharpe) Moffett and her husband, Larry, Moffett of Las Vegas, Nevada; twin daughters Karen Elizabeth (Pushard) Sharpe of Winthrop, and Kristin Joanne Sharpe of Oxnard, Calif.; two sons, Robert Gordon Doyle Jr. of Gray and Michael John Doyle and his wife, Vickie Labbe, of Portland; daughter, Rebecca Ann Doyle and her husband, Michael Weissman, of Littleton, Colo.; and former son-in-law, Mike Pushard of Pittston. Seven grandchildren survived Mary Jean, Shannon Baron of Coopers Mills, Shawn Pushard of Saco, Achsha Lamb of Hollywood, Calif., Mishka Lamb of Chatsworth, Calif., twins Tyler and Jesse Lamb of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Elyse Doyle of Gray. Also surviving Mary Jean are several nieces and nephews.

The family of Mary Jean would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Seaside Nursing Home and Beacon Hospice. A ceremony will be held at a future date to honor her spirit, celebrate her life and take joy in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to may contribute in memory of Mary Jean to: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000; www.bestfriends.org.

To offer words of condolence for the family, sign a guest book and share memories, go to www.independentdeathcare.com. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care in Portland.