Elizabeth Constance Van Doorn

Born: 31 October 1924

Died: 7 September 2018

Mrs. Donald William (Constance Elizabeth) Van Doorn, beloved wife and mother and grandmother, died peacefully at 93 years of age Friday morning, September 7, 2018. Born Elizabeth Jean Carraway on Halloween night in 1924 in San Antonio, Texas, she was the only child of Thomas William Carraway, an Engineer and inventor, and Alice Elizabeth Littlepage Carraway, a homemaker. The family later moved to Dallas, Texas, where her father’s key patents made him a pioneer in the practical application of air conditioning for homes, businesses, automobiles and mobile military applications.

In Dallas, Constance (“Connie”) attended the Hockaday School and then Highland Park High School, graduating at the top of her class at age 15. She then attended Fairmont Finishing School in Washington, D.C. After pondering several offers from top-notch universities, she selected The College of William and Mary from which she graduated with honors in Greek, Latin and Philosophy. In Williamsburg, she met a dashing naval officer, Donald W. Van Doorn, whom she married on 14 September, 1945 in Dallas, Texas. Their marriage lasted 70 years until his death in 2015.

After a brief stay in Dallas, the newlyweds moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1947 so that Don could pursue his career with Lummus Cotton Gin Co., where he innovated in that industry for 68 years. Through her unfailing support, Constance was integral to his success at Lummus. In Columbus, Constance quickly became active in the community, e.g. the First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League, and Phalo Study Club, among others. She founded the Docents Program at the Bradley (now Columbus) Museum through her first Junior League placement, and an etiquette and dance class for youth, the Junior Assemblies. She served as a substitute teacher. She was a lifelong member of the Columbus Country Club and a founding member of the Chattahoochee River Club. She was a strong supporter of the Confederate (now Civil War) Naval Museum. She supported the late Dr. Mahan in forming the Westville historical village. Many still remember her many appearances on the “Rozell Show” and as the mysterious gypsy “Esmeralda” at the Wynnton School’s Halloween Festival.

The focus of her life, however, was as a wife and mother, though she never lost her intellectual curiosity and the joy of knowledge, values she instilled in her four children. She is survived by her children: Elizabeth Van Doorn Grounsell (Walter), Thomas William Carraway Van Doorn, Sr. (Amy Horton), Dr. John Donald Van Doorn (Dr. Judy Rouse) and Alis Elizabeth Van Doorn. Her grandchildren are David Baldwin Conard, III (Tiffany), Catherine Elizabeth Van Doorn (Patrick Schmeckpepper) and Thomas William Carraway Van Doorn, Jr., Dorothy Virginia Van Doorn and Georgia Emmeline Van Doorn.

Constance loved all creatures great and small, beginning with her boon companion “Bud Allen” the horse, with whom she shared many adventures, including being rescued by him from a fast-flowing river. She procured pets for each of her children, including ducks, dogs, cats and rabbits. Her great friend Barbara Pound immortalized in a painting “Calamity” the pig that Constance rescued from an aggravated sow! In her final years Alis’ wonder-pup “Sophie” brought her much comfort.

She had a lifetime interest in, and flair for, ideas, writing, high fashion, dancing, flowers and gardening. In her teens and twenties, she modeled in Dallas at the flagship Nieman-Marcus store, and continued to model in Columbus, both in runway shows and print advertisements, and for years she was on Atlanta’s Best Dressed list. She was in the Columbus Garden Club and was recognized for her artful floral arrangements. She was a talented writer. Her papers for the Phalo Study Club were celebrated for their research and erudition.

She turned down many opportunities for employment and recognition outside of her motherhood role; a considerable sacrifice. She was recognized for her support of the Boy Scouts, the swim team, and her children’s education at Trinity/Brookstone School, Marshall Junior High School and Columbus High School.

In the last 15 years, she and Don embarked on yet another adventure, buying a home in Savannah’s Historic District on Lafayette Square, splitting their time between Columbus and Savannah.

Constance was a beautiful and brilliant woman, with a loving heart and soul and a powerful life force right up until the end. She moved in grace and wisdom, with a warm presence that was treasured by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901 on Saturday, 29 September at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow. For additional information, or to leave your thoughts, please access the Striffler-Hamby website at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbus-ga/elizabeth-van-doorn-7984044

Donations:

Flowers gratefully accepted; in lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the following:

The Columbus Museum

1251 Wynnton Road

Columbus, GA 31906

First Presbyterian Church

1100 First Avenue

Columbus, GA 31901

The Anne Elizabeth Shepard Home

751 Double Churches Road

Columbus, GA 31904

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