Doreen was such a special lady, always a smile and a big hug. I have missed her the last few years and am so sorry for all of you. You are all in my prayers during this difficult time.

As a youngster, when we would visit the Grand Rapids side of the family, I always wondered about the prayer that Aunt Doreen would lead before meals. As an adult, during a particularly difficult time in my life, I turned to prayer and the Bible to get me through. I believe a part of Aunt Doreen's faith settled somewhere in me to lead me to that point. What an effective witness her life was to me and, I expect, to many others. She will be missed. With love....

Dear Dave, Doug, Dean and families. Your Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother was a very special person in my life along with your Dad. I remember all those time your family coming down to the cottage at Norvil. Our dads would go fishing together, Mom & Doreen talking and laughing and us boys swimming, boat races etc.. Our families have always been very close. I can never repay your parents for letting me live with them while I did my internship in Grand Rapids and the great times I had with your parents. Your parents are as special to me as my parents were to me. I will miss them both, especially your mom. May God Bless the family as you grieve the loss of Aunt Doreen.

A Traditional Pastel Sympathy Arrangement was ordered on December 17, 2016

We always had wonderful summer vacations visiting Aunt Doreen and Uncle Don on Den Hertog Street. Aunt Doreen was so welcoming, kind and generous. She provided many ,many picnic lunches and dinner cookouts in the back yard. Doreen was a terrific role model with her grace and kindness. I will miss her and remember her so fondly...a wonderful lady!! So sorry for your loss cousins. Love, Karen

I worked with your Mom at Butterworth clinic...She was a woman of grace but she could have a wonderful sense of humor with a twinkle in her eye. She was a wonderful co-worker always ready to jump in and help another and our clinic patients love her as did the Resident Doctors. I will miss Doreen though I haven't seen her in yrs. Our lunch group talks about her & I was thinking is all went well when I returned to GR to see if she could go to lunch with us..guess not until we all get to Heaven and have lunch together with God. God bless the family lucky enough to had her for a mother.

I have so many terrific memories with you, Dave, Doug and Dean. Take heart in the wonderful life your mom had with your dad all those years. I will never forget my youth spent with all of you, the warmth and good cheer at Christmas time and throughout our many visits together over so many early years. Your folks were so kind and gentle, even when we would get a little too rambunctious playing basketball on Den Hertog or on our picnics at Tunnel Park. A wonderful, gentle woman and a wonderful, gentle man, my Uncle Don. Much to remember and two good and successful lives to celebrate!

OBITUARY

Doreen Louise Coates

June 22, 1929 – December 14, 2016

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