Bertha Keenan, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 2, 2014.
She is survived by her daughters Georgia Lynn of Montecito, Calif., and Gay Dolan of Bloomington, Ill.; five granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Walter Doty and her husband Dr. James R. Doty.
After Dr. Doty’s death she moved to Florida where she met and married James A. Keenan who died in 1999.
Keenan was a graduate of the University of Michigan earning a Bachelor’s degree with a major in English. It was on the UM campus where she met Jim Doty. It was through the influence of her parents that young Jim Doty decided to pursue the practice of medicine.
After WWII, the Doty’s settled in Lapeer to raise their children. She was a member of Xi Chapter of Delta Gamma Sorority, Tuesday Club, Lapeer County Medical Society Auxiliary and Grace Episcopal Church. An educator by profession, she taught in Flint, Mich., upon graduation from college and later became a reading consultant and tutor for students in the Lapeer public school system.
As a nature lover, Keenan taught her children to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. She dabbled in writing poetry as a means of reflection and self-expression. For recreation, she enjoyed golf and playing card games, especially bridge. She was an avid sports fan who rooted for the New England Patriots.
The Doty household had a menagerie of pets that always included a dog and at times more “exotic” animals including a horse, a baby raccoon, wild baby rabbits, Easter chicks and a parakeet as well as an assortment of creatures purchased at the dime store.
Keenan will be remembered for her independence and strength in dealing with life’s challenges. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff of Oakbridge Terrace at Indian River Estates for their kindness and love during the final years of Bertha’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Grace Episcopal Church (735 W. Nepessing Street, Lapeer, Michigan, 48446). A private memorial service will be held at a future date.
