Our beloved, Mother and Grandmother, Eleanor Rea Doughty, has passed into the loving arms of God, after a long and fulfilling life. Eleanor was born in Sebastian, Florida, one of six children. Her Mother died at a very young age, and their Father could not take care of them, so they were split up. Eleanor was raised by a couple in Carson City that owned a farm. It was a hard life, but she adjusted and went on to become a bookkeeper after graduating from Davenport College. She married William E Doughty in 1940. They were blessed with seven children known in the Alexander Neighborhood as "The Doughtys". These seven children were busy, boisterous, fun, and much loved. All of her children graduated from high school, which in those times was quite an accomplishment. Eleanor's husband, Bill, who was the Mail Room Foreman of The Grand Rapids Press, passed away in 1979. This was a major setback for her as they were just starting to enjoy the "empty nest" time of their lives. But Eleanor filled her life with her children and grandchildren. She went back to work as a bookkeeper for Salerno Bakery. And later, helped her daughter, Bette, run the store at Retter's Dance Center. The customers loved her. Eleanor is also known for her potato salad, her lead foot, and her ability to make every person in the family feel like they were "the favorite". Eleanor has resided at the Heartland Nursing home in Grand Rapids for the last seven years where all the staff adored her and called her "Grandma". Her days were filled with playing Bingo, visiting the cottage at Diamond Lake, taking phone calls, knitting dish cloths and baby hats, trips to the Casino, and coming to all the family parties. The family of Eleanor would like to thank the staff at Heartland Nursing Home and Hospice for taking such good care of our Mother. Eleanor's children are John (Darlein) Doughty, Nancy (Ron) Smith, Bette (David) Retter (Dec.), William E (Lana) Doughty, Jr. (Dec.), Frank (Teri) Doughty, Debra (Mike) Sytsma, Patti (Jon) Jasinski. She had 27 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, and 14 great great grandchildren. A funeral for Eleanor will be held on Tuesday, December 12th at 11AM at Ofield Funeral Home (4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE in Kentwood), Rev. Arthur Taylor officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 6:30-9PM and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.



Service Information

Visitation
When: Monday, December 11, 2017 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508

Second Visitation
When: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508

Service
When: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 11:00am
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SEKentwood,MI 49508