Doris Linnea Kula

Doris Linnea (Olson) Kula, 90, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Doris was born in Proctor, Vermont, on Oct. 1, 1923, to the late Emil and Ellen (Melen) Olson. She graduated from Proctor High School in 1941 and in 1943 moved to Connecticut. Doris was married to Edward Martin Kula on March 2, 1945, and they were married 52 years until her husband's death in 1997. Doris worked for Kula Photo Lab with her two sons up until her early 80s. She enjoyed music, playing the piano, and always had a book to read. Doris loved family and that was the most important thing to her. She was very close to her daughters and went on many family trips with them. She was a loving soul and just wanted to be around people. All she wanted from the Riverside staff and patients was to hold their hand and kiss it.

Doris is survived by her brother, Harold Olson, and his wife, Mary, of Colorado; her four children, Janet (Kula) Tylinski, and her husband, Gary, of Lebanon, Gail (Kula) Myers, and her husband, Larry, of Suffield, Brad Kula, and his wife, Mary, of East Hartford, Gary Kula of Dover, New Hampshire; her six granddaughters, Karen Myers of Enfield, Ren Myers, and her partner, Kim Hooyboar, of Jersey City, New Jersey, Lynn Kula-Watt, and her husband, Chad, of Somers, Wendy Kula of New York, Briana Kula of Dover, and Taylor Reynolds of California. Doris is also survived by her four great-grandchildren, Zackaria Balutowski of Enfield, Colin, Tyler, and Hallie Watt of Somers; and her nephews and other extended family members and friends. Karen's son, Zackaria, was the light in her eyes and he loved to go visit Great Grammy at both Suffield House and Riverside and he brought a smile to everyone's face.

The family of Doris Kula wishes to thank the staff at the Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center for the fabulous care they gave her in her twilight years who made her final journey peaceful.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family on Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield. A funeral service will begin at noon at the funeral home and will be officiated by the Rev. Kathy Faber. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave. 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001-6792.

For online expressions of sympathy of directions please visit

www.leetestevens.com