- Date Of Death: September 20, 2017
- State: Michigan
Doris VanDamme, 84, loving mother and active community member, passed away on September 20, 2017.
Doris Mae Geniesse was born on March 5, 1933, in Menominee, Michigan, to John B. Geniesse and Celina (Vandermissen), the 7th of 11 children.
She married Valere VanDamme on November 12, 1955. They raised their family in St. Nicholas, farming potatoes and milking cows for the first ten years, then continuing with just potatoes. Doris enjoyed summer vacations and camping with family and friends. In 1986 they took a road trip around the United States.
Doris had a long history of helping others, starting in the 1950s by working at Pinecrest TB Sanitarium in Powers. When she married she was active at St. Joseph’s Church in Perkins, the 4-H club, American Legion Auxiliary, school functions and fundraisers. She was a leader in “Teens Encounter Christ” giving support to teenagers as they strengthen their faith. After she moved to Escanaba, she joined St. Thomas/St Anthony Church and continued to assist others. She spent time volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul store, the Red Cross, OSF Bay de Noc Hospice and the “No One Dies Alone” program. Her favorite position was at OSF St. Francis Hospital in the surgical waiting area, the gift shop or at the front desk. She logged in over 20,000 hours as a volunteer at OSF.
Doris also enjoyed keeping busy with her many hobbies: sewing, crocheting, knitting, decorative plates, and painting. She has donated many of her paintings to raffles and given others to family members. She was proud to have visited all 50 states, numerous countries in Europe and the Caribbean. Doris visited all of her children in their various homes in different states.
Survivors include her five children:
Shirley (Alana Klumpp) VanDamme of Reno, NV, Elaine VanDamme of CT, Andrew (Maria) VanDamme of San Diego, CA, Joyce VanDamme of Greensboro, NC, Brenda (Kevin Ford) VanDamme of Woodstock, CT.
Her grandchildren Michael (Kim) Batti of Kingsford, MI and Valerie Zeala Charlotte VanDamme of San Diego, CA and her great grandchildren, Ethan, Carson, Kingston, and Kalli also from Kingsford, MI.
Her surviving brothers are Kenneth Geniesse of Sussex, WI and Anthony (Chayo) Geniesse of El Paso, TX. Doris has numerous beloved nieces and nephews and cousins.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband Valere, her parents, her siblings: Francis Geniesse, John Geniesse, Bernard Geniesse, Theresa Lippens, Ann Funk, Bernice Schahczinski, Gerard Geniesse, Raymond Geniesse.
