Doreen Evelyn Furman

Doreen was born on November 25, 1932 in Southern Rhodesia, Africa, where she spent her childhood on Solusi Mission with her missionary parents, William and Ruth Higgins, and her sister Charlene. Every day in Africa was an adventure, from wearing pith helmets to guard against the heat of the equator, to living among leopards, zebra, giraffe, elephants, kudu, lions and rhinos, and sleeping under mosquito nets. Often, she and her older sister would spot a black mamba in the baobab trees, and Doreen would be designated “snake watcher” while her sister ran to get Daddy and his shotgun!

The family moved back to the United States when Doreen was 14 years old, by a voyage of several weeks across the Atlantic on a ship. There they lived in Massachusetts, where she graduated from South Lancaster Academy. From Massachusetts, they moved to Collegedale, Tennessee, where Doreen attended, and graduated from, Southern Missionary College.

She married Harry Danielson just after graduation and lived in San Bernardino, CA while Harry attended dental school at Loma Linda University. During Harry’s time in the Air Force, their only daughter, Sheri Lee, was born, after which, they moved to Winter Park, Florida.

Doreen’s professional career began with modeling in locations around central Florida for Pat Fleisher Studios. Many fashion shows were staged at the iconic Langford Hotel in Winter Park, where Doreen also taught Charm School for girls. Frequently, the models would do “live mannequin” staging at Jordan Marsh department store. Doreen had a knack for holding a stare for minutes at a time, so much so, that store patrons thought she was an actual mannequin….until they touched an arm and were startled that she was “warm”!

In 1969 she was re-married. Carl Furman was a jeweler and gemologist, who she met during her modeling years.

Later, she began her career as an Executive Secretary at First National Bank of Orlando downtown, which became SunBank, and later became SunTrust (and is now Truist). Her career there spanned over 32 years, the majority of these working with the President and Chief Executive Officer Buell Duncan. She was actively involved for many years in, and also an officer of, Executive Women’s International.

After retiring, Doreen moved to Hendersonville, NC, then to Colorado Springs, CO and eventually back to Florida.

Doreen loved music, she played French horn and sang in the choir. She particularly loved jazz, and she and Carl would often go to Lake Buena Vista to hear the jazz trio there. She loved words and language and reading, and passed this love to her daughter early on, with bedtime and Bible stories. She enjoyed wine and visited Napa Valley and its wineries. She loved the beach, especially Longboat Key, and our family visited all of the Florida attractions. She loved Ronnie’s Restaurant’s famous cheesecake! Most weekends from 1979 to 1982 she could be seen along the shoreline of lakes and rivers throughout Florida (with animated cheers and a big, floppy hat), supporting her daughter and teammates of UCF’s crew!

Doreen will be remembered most for her lively spirit, her care for others, her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, but mostly for being a dedicated mother.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me to be independent, to work hard without giving up, to pursue excellence in everything, to love our Lord and to live with an open heart! And thank you for loving me without condition! I will miss you everyday!

Doreen is survived by her daughter Sheri Danielson Butler (Edward) of Howey in the Hills, FL; step-daughter Peggy Furman Shoucair (Chris), Lithia, FL; step-granddaughter Amy Butler, Beaufort, SC; eleven step-grandchildren and fifteen step-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl S. Furman, her sister Charlene Anderson, and her parents William B. Higgins and Ruth G. Higgins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Doreen’s memory to the Morris Animal Foundation. www.morrisanimalfoundation.org

There are no services planned at this time.