Doris Jensen

Doris Jennette Sanford Jensen, 90, of South Haven passed away early Sunday morning, October 8, 2006 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 3, 1916 in Bridgewater, Connecticut to Susan (Coolidge) and Henry Sanford. After graduating form Russell Sage College, she move to New York City and worked for American Home Magazine in the Art Department. On a blustery day in November, 1938 she met and fell in love with John C. Jensen, marrying him on May 25, 1940; thus starting an incredible journey of love, adventure and service. Through the years, by deed and example she championed the underdog and ferociously fought for the rights of women and children.

Doris and Jack lived the World War II years in Central and South America returning to Chicago in 1945 where Jack started his export business, John C. Jensen International, Inc. Doris was his Vice President and secretary. In 1950 they moved to South Haven, Michigan there Jack continued his export business eventually changing the name to Kalamazoo International, Inc.

Besides raising three children, Doris became involved in community affairs, many times as president. Some of those include: PTA, Camp Fire Girls, AAUW, We Care, DAR, My Town Players, Band Boosters, Scott Club, Partners for the Americas, and the Van Buren County Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. She was a Camp Fire Girl leader, a room mother, served on the vestry of the Church of The Epiphany, drove for Mobile Meals and successfully led a statewide campaign to fund and save The Michigan Council for the Arts.

She loved to write, earning a national award for her reader’s play Columbus, commemorating his 500th anniversary. She also wrote and performed a one-woman show about Beatrix Potter and another about women’s’ suffrage; wrote a children’s book and enthralled many with her annual Christmas letters. In 1988 her letter describing her wonderful husband landed her on the Oprah Winfrey’s Valentine Show where she and Jack won 2nd place. She and Jack also received The Flowers for the Living Award form Kiwanis for their many years of community service.

In addition, her love of performing landed her the lead in Arsenic and Old Lace as well as appearing or helping in many local theater productions. She always accompanied Jack on his yearly business trips abroad, absorbing much local custom and culture. Together they delighted in giving travelogues to various groups around town.

She and Jack’s lifelong helpmate and soul-mate, whether as the Vice President of Kalamazoo International, Inc. or co-captain of their sailboat, Bjarni. She loved to entertain, many times having international visitors in her home where she would proudly fly their national flag along with the US flag. But one of her greatest passions was playing bridge with her friends.

She is preceded in death along with her parents by her husband – John C. (Jack) Jensen who died in 2004.

She is survived by her children: Susan (Roger) Butler of South Haven, Michigan and Sharon (Michael Miller) Jensen of New York City, New York and Sanford (Connell Davis) Jensen of Ojai, California. Grandchildren: Todd (Carrie) Butler of Paw Paw, Brittany Hosier of Bangor, Collard and Genevieve Jensen of Ojai, California, and Great grandchildren: Caleb, Aurora and Emma Hosier of Bangor, Michigan.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at the Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church with the Rev. Andrew Gross officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Church of the Epiphany or AAUW local scholarship fund. To celebrate Doris, the family invites friends to the South Haven Yacht Club from 3:30 to 6:00 P.M. following the service. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.