Jeanne Earle (Kidd) Doenges

Jeanne Earle Doenges (nee Kidd), loving wife of the late Charles F. Doenges and beloved mother of Anna Rachel Hairsine (nee Eurich)

Jeanne entered this world on November 7, 1924, the third of six children born to Hettie E. (d. 1970) and Harry E. (d. 1953) Kidd.  She spent her young years moving several times between Baltimore and Lynchburg, VA.  Even at a young age, Jeanne was frighteningly forthright and outspoken, and could create quite a ruckus because of it.  She served her country by joining the U.S. Coast Guard in her late teens, and received an Honorable Discharge from military service in 1944.  Shortly thereafter, she married William (Bill) Eurich and, in April 1947, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Anna Rachel.  Shortly after Rachel’s 11th birthday, Bill suffered a massive heart attack and died.  Jeanne, widowed, with a young child and fiercely independent, was determined to support herself and her daughter on her own – with no help from anyone.  Nephew Joe Rohr recently made the comment, “She was a feminist when there were NO feminists!”  How absolutely right he is!  Jeanne went to work.  Passing the Federal Civil Service Entrance Exam, she landed a job with the Federal government at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station (AFEES) in the Accounting/Auditing section and worked at Fort Holabird (now the Holabird Industrial Park).  When Fort Holabird closed, her section was relocated to offices just outside the BWI Airport grounds.  Eventually, Jeanne transferred to the Treasury Department – U.S. Customs and Border Protection – where she became an Import Specialist in the Classification and Value Division.

During this time, Rachel had grown into a fine young woman and was on her own, and Jeanne met Charles (Chuck) Doenges.  They dated for several years and, in 1974, they were married.  Jeanne was almost 50 years old.  Settling in Perry Hall, the plan was to retire and move to Florida – which is what they did.  Jeanne retired from Customs in 1985 and, a few years later, they proceeded to move to Palm Coast where they had their “dream” house built.  While in Florida, Chuck started forgetting things more and more frequently.  Testing proved he had developed Alzheimer’s Disease and he passed away in April 1999.   Not too long after, Jeanne sold the house and moved back to Baltimore.  She remained fiercely independent, living in her own home and even driving her own vehicle until she was almost 90.  Recent ailments led to hospitalization back in February, where it was discovered that she had colon cancer.

Jeanne was the matriarch of the Kidd family, the last of all her siblings – Louise Kidd Pitt, Thelma Kidd, Harry Kidd, Patricia Kidd Hairsine and Richard Kidd.  She was 91 years old and had undergone 2 major surgeries in the past 3 weeks.  Her heart, strong as it was, succumbed to the pressure and stress - and in an instant, she was gone.  She left this world and all its pain and sickness behind.  But she left it knowing she was truly loved.  She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Rachel Hairsine, a host of nieces, nephews, great and great-great –nieces and -nephews and countless friends.  AND her loving, four-legged companion, “Cat,” who misses her terribly.

A formidable force, outspoken, honest to a fault, strong, independent, determined, smart, generous, compassionate, faithful – all of these words so very accurately describe Jeanne Doenges.  Each of us who know and love her has been touched by her strength of character and deep faith.  We are all better people for having had her as part of our family – part of our lives.  Jeanne, your legacy lives on in all of us.  We love you dearly, and will miss you always.

Graveside Memorial Service
April 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
Moreland Memorial Park
2901 Taylor Avenue
Parkville, MD  21234
Tel:  410-665-6400

Luncheon following the service
at 1:00 p.m.
Riverwatch Restaurant
207 Nanticoke Road
Essex, MD  21221
Tel:  410-687-1422

Please R.S.V.P. by April 19, 2016 to
Dana Rohr - 443-570-9783 or
Michele Dorsey - 443-643-5911

Please omit flowers.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Jeanne to ALLEY CAT ALLIES / 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600 / Bethesda, MD  20814-2525, or visit their website at www.alleycat.org/.