Obituary of Doris Shea Kenyon

Doris Shea Kenyon, 89, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on November 12, 2019. One of two children born to Ruth and Lester Shea in Pittsburgh, PA, Doris attended Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh graduating in 1949, and then Duff’s Ironcity Business School. She worked as a secretary for Harnischfeger Industries and then Benedum-Trees Company. Doris met her future husband at a YMCA Square Dance. After their marriage in January, 1954, Doris became a full-time homemaker raising two daughters. She and her husband moved to Melbourne, FL in 1955. Doris taught herself to sew when she was younger and became a phenomenal seamstress. She even made her own wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses when she got married. She continued to sew throughout the years, making all of her daughters’ clothes as well as suits for her husband. She loved taking care of the house and raising their two daughters. Doris’ family was her pride and joy. She was a band parent volunteer when their youngest daughter was in the marching band at Eau Gallie High School. She was elected president of her bowling league every year for over 40 years. Doris used Sam as her alias on her scoresheet when she felt like she wasn’t bowling well. In fact, this led to much confusion with her husband when her bowling friends would call the house, asking for “Sam”. She also enjoyed doing crafts including punch embroidery, dotted paint t-shirts, and gardening. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Richard W. Kenyon; daughter, Debra “Debi” K. VanderBaan (Ron) of Neptune Beach, FL: daughter, Denise K. Waye (Don) of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Tami Haines (Paul), Scot Waye (Becca), Tiffany Vranes (John), Shana Potter (Steve), Courtney Ortiz (Justin), Dan VanderBaan (Ashley) and Jamie Thomas (Matt); and 17 great-grandchildren. A memorial service for family will be held at The National Cemetery in Cape Canaveral at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Health First Foundation Hospice Care, (321) 434-1744, 1131 W. New Haven Avenue, Unit 102, Melbourne, FL 32904, hf.org/hospice