Ann Doyle

Little Charlie leaves Auntie Ann in stitches

Ann Doyle

  • Age: 55
  • Lives in: Coralville
  • Occupation: Volunteer for the Uncommon Student Award Program with the Herbert Hoover Library Association
  • Favorite thing: Doing things with friends

For Ann Doyle, spending time with friends and family is a guaranteed way to make her laugh.

Doyle said her home has become a gathering place for her family. With that comes plenty of opportunities for laughter.

In particular, she said her brother, Scott Barber, who now lives in Fort Collins, Colo., has a sense of humor she appreciates.

“He’s quick-witted. He has very quick comebacks to things,” Doyle said.

She said she thinks her brother gets his sharp humor from their father. And Doyle said the trend has continued with Scott’s son, 3-year-old Charlie, who never fails to crack her up.

Doyle recalls that during a visit last year to her home, she was sick. Charlie and his family came in to get their coats at the end of the trip.

“(Charlie) said, ‘Next time, I’ll come back and bring my doctor stuff,’” referring to his toy doctor set, Doyle said with a chuckle.

Doyle said her four cats — Carlotta, Malcolm, Archie and Cal — are also a source of amusement.

She said they all have their own peculiar quirks. Archie, for example, is the only one that ever grooms the other cats.

“I love watching them chase each other around,” she said.

All four cats were strays that Doyle took into her home. Despite the potential for fighting, she said the cats all get along well together.

— Chris Rhatigan