Doris R Sloan

Our mother, Doris Rea Sloan, left this world in peace and love on January 2, 2017. True to her indomitable spirit, she fought the failures of advanced age bravely and as long as possible. We are grateful to have had her for these nearly 92 years and to honor her well-lived life.

Doris Rea was born on February 8, 1925 in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Mary Elizabeth (nee Burgess) and William Rea. She is predeceased by her husband Ernel Lee Sloan, and her sisters Betty and Maureen. Many beloved nieces and nephews in Ireland and England will sorely miss her.

As a teenager during World War II, Mom survived the Belfast Blitz bombing raids on the nearby ship yards where the Titanic was built. As the war wound down, she attended a local USO dance where she met her future husband, an American working for Lockheed. Married in Belfast in 1944, they moved to Missouri and eventually settled in Michigan.

Their four children include William (Sharon), Pamela (Michael), Cathy (Patrick), and Gregory (Alyson). Mom was fiercely dedicated to her children and likewise to her grandchildren Christy, Melissa, Nicholas, Sean; and great-granddaughter Camryn.

Upon retirement, the empty nesters relocated to Traverse City where Mom thrived serving the local community. At the Women's Resource Center Charity, where she volunteered for over 20 years, she greeted everyone with a beaming smile and a helping hand. Generosity toward all and sharing good laughs were her essence.

And that is how she wants to be remembered. Mom did not want any formal memorial. Instead, donations in her honor may be made to Women's Resource Center. See www.womensresourcecenter.org