DOUCETTE, Lois Margaret

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Saturday, March 23, 2013 Lois Margaret Doucette 1933 - 2013 Lois Margaret Doucette, 80, left this worldly life on Sunday, March 17, 2013, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease which affected her body and mind, but not her spirit and wonderful sense of humor. She was born in Chicago, IL, as one of nine children born to Claude and Rosalba Doucette. Her early years were spent in Chicago, but the wonders of the United States called her to travel. She graduated from the University of Colorado and completed a M.Ed. at Azusa College in California. Lois was called to teach and she pursued that calling in Chicago, Anchorage, and in Orange County, California. She was a gifted teacher of mathematics and inspired many over a several decades long teaching career. An early retirement brought Lois to Sedona and Oak Creek Village where she lived for over 20 years. The dedication and passion that Lois brought to teaching was redirected to her community during her retirement years. She had served as a board member for the Village of Oak Creek, on the citizen patrol with the sheriff’s office, and taught water aerobics at the Sedona Winds Senior Center. Lois had a real passion for politics and was a longtime, active member of the Republican Women’s Club. Lois was a gifted and highly trained seamstress and designer of fine women’s fashion. Among the many beautiful custom creations were stunning, original gowns she designed and personally sewed for family weddings. In addition, she enjoyed flying, quilting, knitting, gardening, classical music, gourmet cooking and reading. Lois loved to travel and was an avid art collector with a true love for the art of the indigenous peoples of the southwest. Lois had a very generous spirit and love for her family which was exhibited in her many selfless acts of caring, especially for her loved ones in their final years. Lois is survived by her sister Jeanne Doucette Wilbur (Bob) of Durham, NC, and brother Don Doucette (Anita) of Chicago. In addition, Lois leaves behind many nieces and nephews widely dispersed throughout the U.S. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Isabelle, her brothers Claude Jr., Bob, Tom, Paul, and Bill, and her sister Dolores. Lois’s dear cat, Cutie Pie, now resides in North Carolina with Jeanne and family. The family is forever grateful to Char and Harry Cecil, beloved friends of Lois for many years and her stalwart companions as she met the challenges she encountered in her later years as her health deteriorated. Friendship such as this is a gift from God. Please consider donating your time to your community in honor of Lois or making a donation in her name to your local animal shelter. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com Information provided by survivors.