Doris Lucile Elwood

February 1, 2020. Doris summed up her remarkable longevity by noting she was “tough” and “lucky in

love... twice!”. To that we would add she possessed a bright wit, winning smile, sharp intellect, loving

spirit and an old fashioned can-do attitude! She lived life on her own terms until the very end.

Born November 21, 1919, on a small family farm in Atlanta, Missouri, Doris was the youngest child of

four born to Charles F. and Jessie (Elliott) Depew. As a child she rode her horse four miles to school

everyday, to attend the elementary school where she would eventually teach first grade.

During her high school years, Doris, used her height to excel in basketball and played saxophone in the

band. After high school she continued her post graduate education and received a degree from the

State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri. Later she achieved a unique distinction for a woman in

that era, graduating in 1963 with a M.A. degree from Central Michigan University.

While teaching in Atlanta, Doris visited her sister Wilma in Lansing, Michigan and there met her future

husband, Alton Roy Wight. When she was 22 they married and commenced a happy life together,

which included a two year sabbatical to Brazil in 1959, and summers spent taking fellow educators on

excursions to Alaska, Hawaii, the West Indies and South America, representing the National Education

Association.

Sadly and unexpectedly Doris became a widow at 40 but as she would say, was lucky in love once

again, when she was introduced to a fellow educator, Everett Elwood. They were married and forged

another happy chapter on the shores of Lake Houghton in Michigan, where they built their home.

Retirement saw a move to Sun City, Arizona and a future filled with lively bridge games, golf and

dinner dances on the weekends, with countless friends. Doris and Ev built a summer, mountain retreat

in the community of Munds Park, Arizona, where they spent countless hours entertaining friends and

family.

Doris was predeceased by her husbands, her parents and siblings: Wilma (Depew) Renn, Harry Depew

and Clifford Depew. She leaves behind beloved family nieces and a nephew: Alba Doane, Berniece

Rhodes, Hazel Blink and Charlie Depew. She was preceded in death by her niece: Wanda Van Atta

and nephew Harry “Dean” Depew. In addition she leaves a legacy of great and great-great nieces and

nephews as well as countless loving friends and her cherished orange tabbies, Tiger and T.J. (Tiger jr.)

The family would like to offer special thanks to her caregivers, who allowed her to remain at home

surrounded by love.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be sent to: The Plaza Del Rio

Foundation c/o Freedom Plaza, 13373 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd., Peoria, AZ. 85381. Donations go to

fund educational scholarships, which Doris generously supported.