Doris E. Brandt

DORIS EVELYN BRANDT (nee Kinsler), age 92, beloved wife of the late Earl W. “Bill”, passed away to a better place on Nov. 18, 2020, a resident of Aurora, OH. Loving mother of James A. (Georgeanna) of New Orleans, Lucinda “Cindy” Newton of Hudson, OH, and David W. (Lori Garver) of Washington, D.C. Cherished grandmother of Jonathan C. Brandt, Allison Samons (Dwayne), Jon W. Newton, Wesley G. Brandt, and Mitchell G. Brandt. Great-grandmother to Beau Samons, Rhett Samons, and Rosalie Brandt. Loving daughter of Mildred Lucinda (Crawford) and The Rev. Arthur R. Kinsler, Jr. (both deceased), half-sister of the late Richard Doe (Margie). Fondly remembered by former daughter-in-law Lucille (Ernst) Smith (JW) and former son-in-law Jon O. Newton and step-granddaughters Betsie Newton Hiatt (Rob) and Maggie Newton Spinelli (Justin) and their children.

Doris was born on January 17, 1928 to Mildred (Crawford) Doe and Adelbert W. Doe in Ashtabula County, OH. As a young child, after her parent’s divorce, she spent a good part of her childhood living with her beloved grandparents Henry J. and Olive B. (Hasson) Crawford with many happy memories of her time with them; while her mother completed her education at Hiram College and Western Reserve University and worked in Cleveland during the Depression. When her mother married Arthur Kinsler, Doris was surrounded by a loving church community at North Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. She was a proud graduate of East High School where she made life-long friends and attended Hiram College.

Doris’ early career was as a PBX telephone operator for Ohio Bell and she met her husband Bill while both worked for the Cleveland Better Business Bureau. They married November 3, 1950 and began their family, eventually settling in Cleveland Hts., OH. Doris was a loving mom who was involved in her children’s PTA, sang in the church choir and served as a Deacon. When her kids were almost grown, she began to work at Higbee’s Department Store at Severance Center and eventually managed the switchboard for a number of years, retiring with 25+ years with the store.

During her retirement she thoroughly enjoyed participating in senior activities at the Cleveland Hts. Senior Center, being a member at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church and getting her weekly hug from The Reverend Dr. John Lentz. She enjoyed traveling to see her grandchildren and trips to Germany, England, Scotland and France. Doris was thrilled that her daughter Cindy had traced multiple family lines back to the 1600s in America and England and Scotland to the 1100s. She loved to read, sing and cheer on the Indians, Browns and OSU.

In her early 80s she moved into Independent living at Anna Maria of Aurora where she made many new friends, enjoyed the weekly activities and especially the music programs. The family appreciated the great staff who cared for her over the years at Anna Maria of Aurora.

Due to COVID-19, a memorial celebration of her life will be conducted in 2021. On-line condolences and memories are welcome and encouraged at  www.DeJohnCares.com Inurnment at Knollwood Cemetery. Contributions in her memory can be made to Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118; or NARAL, 1725 Eye Street  N.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006. Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID.