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Beth Doran

April 1, 1959 - August 13, 2008
Shelbyville, MI

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Service

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
6:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Followed by a luncheon in the Life Story Center.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

West Michigan Cancer Center
200 North Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 382-2500
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Beth Doran was a woman who believed in community involvement. Early on she was a Girl Scout and friend of animals, in later years she was a voice for ecology and advocate for Cancer Survivors. She was also a wonderful wife, sister, aunt and daughter.

Born on April 1, 1959 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to David and Lois (Riggs) Johnson, Beth was the older of two sisters. Her father David was killed in an automobile accident when Beth was only five. Her mother Lois worked hard as a single parent to raise Beth and her younger sister, Marianne. The years that Beth was growing up were turbulent times. Old ways and traditions were being replaced by radical changes and new ways of doing things. The new focus on nature and ecology would later become a passion for Beth. While she was growing up in Kalamazoo, she played with her friends and attended school. She became involved in Girl Scouts, achieving the highest rank, First Class Scout in the Glowing Embers Girl Scout Council in May of 1974. She also had a chance to travel to Europe with Mr. Todd, an Art Teacher from Loy Norrix High School. It was an amazing learning experience for Beth and the other students.

After graduating from Loy Norrix in 1977, she enrolled at Macomb County Community College to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. After completing the two year technician program, Beth found employment at the Kent County Animal Shelter, Kalamazoo County Animal Shelter, Kelley’s Animal Clinic and Schmitt’s Animal Hospital. During this time she adopted her first dog, a golden-lab named Nelson. Finally, Beth ended up at MPI in Mattawan, working there for almost five years.

One fateful day in 1980, Beth met a special young man named Mike Doran at a party of mutual friends. Sparks were definitely flying that night and a long distance relationship began between the two. Five years later Beth and Mike made their relationship official by exchanging their vows in Wayland on May 4, 1985. The young couple went up to the Upper Peninsula for their honeymoon. They spent their time sightseeing at Tacoma Falls and Picture Rock, ending by way of Canada to their final destination of Niagara Falls.

Beth and Mike started their married life together in Wayland, later building a house in Shelbyville in 1996 on fifteen acres of land. This was their dream house in more ways than one. It had a peaceful natural setting that Beth loved, as well as being the eco-friendly house that Beth required. It also was chalet style with a loft for quiet moments.

Beth and Mike complimented each other beautifully. Beth tended the flower garden, while Mike tended the vegetable garden. Beth showed her skills in the kitchen by baking;

Mike showed his skills in the kitchen by cooking. Together they loved to hike and kayak at Yankee Springs or up North or Sleeping Bear Dunes. It really didn’t matter where, as long as they were together. In her quieter moments, Beth could be found reading, listening to jazz or classic rock with her dog, “Oberon” by her side. (Oberon was named after the beer he resembles)!

Beth loved her nephews and nieces dearly, taking them on trips to the Nature Center and Fredrick Meijer’s Garden to share her love of nature. One time she made homemade hot dog treats with them, a memory that they still cherish to this day.

When Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991 she became an advocate of cancer causes, doing everything she could to raise funds for the cause and encourage other cancer survivors. Beth was a good influence on others with her positive outlook and brightening smile. Even after she received the news that she had stage four inoperable cancer she still kept a cheerful, positive disposition through it all.

Beth always had a concern for the environment, but was especially passionate about being “green” during the last five years. She and Mike felt it was important to be responsible and recycle/compost as much as possible.

Beth was person who was determined to make a difference with her life. Her love for animals, nature, and cancer survivors will be the mark she leaves behind. She loved her husband, sister, parents and nieces and nephews dearly. Beth will be remembered for her passion and her outgoing attitude. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her in the short time she was given.

Beth Doran died August 13, 2008 in Kalamazoo. A Life Story service will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-6080 Stadium Drive-Kalamazoo, 375-2900 followed by a reception at the Life Story Center. Beth was preceded in death by her father, David Johnson, her grandparents, her brother in law, Tom Doran, her father in law, Jim Doran and by her aunt. Surviving are her husband of 23 years, Michael Doran; her mother, Lois Johnson of Kalamazoo; her sister, Marianne (Jim) Gardner of Kalamazoo; and their children: Adam and Sarah Gardner; her mother-in-law, Marcella Doran of Gun Lake; brothers and sisters in-law: Sharon Petkoff, Sue (Mike) Brand, Dan (Julie) Doran, Sandy (Gus) Hendrixson and Tim (Judi) Doran and many nieces and nephews. Please visit Beth’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book or make a memorial contribution to West Michigan Cancer Center.

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