Doris Hillyer Baldwin

Doris Baldwin Obituary

BALDWIN Funeral services for Doris Hillyer Baldwin, 99, will be held from the graveside on Friday, February 18th at 2P.M., in Oaklawn Cemetery. Mrs. Baldwin, a native of Jacksonville was a charter member of the San Jose Country Club and the widow of the late Charles F. Lovan and John W. Baldwin. Survivors include her daughters, Joan LeClere and Linda (Edward) Harkness; a step-son, Jack (Judi) Baldwin; a step daughter, Carol Clarke; 7 grandchildren, Devin and Ned Harkness, Nancy Nunnery, Patricia (Tom) Garber, Stephen (Shelly) LeClere, Mark and Bill (Sandy) LeClere; 12 great grandchildren; Victoria and Michael Nunnery, Alison and Phillip Garber , Christopher and Eric LeClere, Katie Lovell, Mike Seneca, Shannon, Amanda, Rebecca and Megan LeClere; 1 great-great-grandchildren, Charlotte LeClere. Arrangements by George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Boulevard, South. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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Published by Florida Times-Union from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Doris Baldwin

11 Entries

Devin Harkness

March 16, 2005

I live with a constant reminder of Grandma. My middle name is Charles, after my Grandfather, her first husband, her true love. I try to imagine what their life must have been like togethr, what it was about him that she loved so dearly. She always described him to me, "so handsome," she would say, "like you." So why am I talking about Charles in Grandma's guest book? Because he may have had more of an impact on her life than any other person ever did. Charles is an enigma, died when my mom was 3, so she doesn't remember him. But although she was never able to describe him to me in anything more than terms of absolute adoration and love, he was certainly more than that. But those memories she had of him say something about her. She appreciated people. I imagine that Doris wished more than anything that we all could have met Charles. She did her best to keep his memory alive, and that is what will in turn do for her. She was of another world, saw in her life every major war od the 20th century, saw the invention of television, compuers, air travel. We cannot fathom what it was to see the births of such things. I mourn her passing by celebrating her in my own mind. I create stories of her as a young woman. I try to imagine which traits I have that she had as a young woman. How am I like her? How was she like me when she was 30? Did she have a similar sense of humor? Sense of adventure? Was she a wild child? She was certainly refined, but that doesn't mean she wasn't a rebel in her own way. It'a all relative. I carry on her love of dance. One of my fondest memories of her is seeing her walk with fragile and uncertain steps to the dance floor, then glide around the room as if she were twenty again. And so without knowing it Grandma taught me that Some memories persist long after we think they might be gone. I love you Grandma. -Devin

Ned Harkness

March 15, 2005

100 years. My life four times over. Dear Doris saw the world grow up around her and lived to meet her great-great grandchild. She was an amazing woman and she was my grandmother. I miss her sunday calls and the inevitable question, "which one is this?" This is Ned, Grandma, and I love you.

Christopher LeClere

March 11, 2005

My Great-Grandmother was a special person. Her ability to say exactly what she was thinking was a rare quality seldom found in people. It was amazing how independent and alert she was for a person of her age. I always smile when I remember how tickled she was to make others happy. She was a solid matriarch and a generous person. It is not only a personal loss that she has passed, but also a loss for the entire south. She was the example of a strong southern woman. The way she lived her life everyday should be an example to us all. She was a good, honest, independent person. She will be missed.

Bill LeClere

March 9, 2005

We mark the passing of the matriarch of a tremendous and wonderful family. A family greatly enhanced by her presence. We stand together and remember; we remember her life and her beautiful way of living. She was an example for us all. She showed us how to make a life a work of art. She lived with a dignity and an honesty that are truly rare. She watched the world around her change completely many times over, yet through this she remained resolutely herself. And for that and much more we will always carry her with us in our hearts.

Shelly LeClere

February 20, 2005

When I met Steve he told how important his grandmother was to him and introduced me to her right away. I feel honored to have gotten to know her over the past 16 years and to be able to call her “Grandma”.

She was an amazing woman who shared her passion for life with those who knew her. To know her was to her know her passion for art, travel, music and especially her daughters and grandchildren. Her intuitiveness was amazing. Even when she told you something that you did not believe to be true, you would eventually see her side. She always recognized “the elephant in the room” and was not afraid to speak up and say so. At times her opinions could hurt, but when you knew her, you knew that she always meant them in a constructive and loving way. Just as she was not afraid to point out your faults, she also praised your accomplishments and made you feel good and proud of yourself.

She was an inspiration to many and lived a life that did not always afford women the opportunities today. She did so with style and grace and always the accessories and matching handbag to boot. Even in her mid 90’s when she broke her hip and was going through more therapy then someone half her age could tolerate, she did so with style and grace. When her daughter brought her a sweat top and pants to wear to therapy she did not understand why she couldn’t do it in her usual clothes. She had never worn pants before and wasn’t going to start now. She amazed and inspired me even more over the past few years of her life. Even when her health and abilities were failing with age, her spirit and determination were always there. She complained very little, even though we all knew she was in pain from her arthritis. She never let it get the best of her. Every day, she got up, dressed to the nines and sat in her wheelchair. She refused to stay in bed, even though to most of us it would seem that there was not much to get up for.

We can all thank her for living and leading by example in her life and her death. We will miss her but just knowing that she is in heaven caring for all the family and friends that are waiting for us makes us feel better. We thank you Grandma, for being all that you were and are to us, now and forever. Shelly LeClere

Ed Harkness

February 19, 2005

I am a poet, and Doris Baldwin, my mother-in-law, was one of my biggest supporters. She kept copies of several of my books on a table in her room. She loved to read, and I was saddened when her eyesight failed to the point where that pleasure was no longer available to her. Decades earlier, when her daughter, Linda (my wife) traveled to Senegal, West Africa, Linda wrote religiously to her mother, describing the day-to-day routines of village life. Doris saved these many letters, reading them again and again. In this way she lived richly, imaginatively through language and writing. She was generous to a fault, giving without ever asking for anything in return. She may have been frail toward the end, but she represented strength, comfort and a source of wisdom for those she loved leaves behind. I'll always remember her for her kindness, humor and good nature. These qualities were with her to the end. When I took pictures of her with a digital camera on the day before her 100th birthday party, then showed her the instant images in the viewer, her eyes lit up in amazement and she actually laughed out loud. When I think of Doris, I'll always remember that look of delight.

Steve and Shelly LeClere

February 18, 2005

Grandma will always hold a very special place in our heart. She always made me feel good about myself and let me know how proud she was. She would always find a kind, sincere compliment for each of us every time that Shelly and I visited her. I would tell her that I loved her so much and often her reply to me would be “I know” and that always felt so good to hear. Her and I always did this silly thing when I would leave where I would walk out of her room walking backwards blowing her kisses and she would be sitting there with a big smile on her face blowing me kisses right back. The last time I saw her I called her name and she raised her head and looked at me and I did my silly thing but she wasn’t in the mood that night. Grandma was very smart and very wise. Her wisdom has helped me deal with a lot of things. I could not have been blessed with a better Grandmother and she has added so much to my life. I am glad that I added happiness to hers.

Linda Harkness

February 17, 2005

Mother was very brave and could be a true hero in times of crisis.

She was very generous to those she loved.

She got an enormous amount of vicarious pleasure from others' travels and adventures, especially mine.

I loved her very much.

Pat Garber

February 15, 2005

I feel very lucky to have had so many years to enjoy my Grandma. Her beauty, style and spunk were hard to miss. I am sure her spunk is what helped her to live as long as she did. She is up in heaven now, dancing and playing bridge with people she loved that left this earth before her. I love you Grandma, I always will, Pat

Adelaida La Rosa

February 15, 2005

I love her, and I will remember her forever.I'm sorry......

Joan LeClere

February 15, 2005

Mother lived to within four days of her 100th birthday and got to see her two daughters, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren during her last day. Although she was miserable and barely responsive, she knew we were

all there and that we loved her. The next morning, she passed away

peacefully, which would have been her wish.

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