Obituary for Doreen Cleveland
On August 10, 2021 Doreen Cleveland, longtime resident of Orleans, passed away with her daughters by her side.
Doreen grew up in the Orleans/Westmore area, where she began waitressing at a young age. There were many stories of the young people working hard together around Willoughby Lake, and then dancing the nights away after work. Doreen was undoubtedly right in the midst of the fun! She continued waitressing in local restaurants for many years. She always joked about wishing she knew how many miles her legs had walked over the years.
She married her sweetheart, Alvah Perkins in 1956. They went on to build a family, sharing their love with two daughters- Rhonda (Reisman) and Roxanne (Bedard). Doreen confidently helped raise two daughters, assisted in Alvah’s bulldozing business, as well as creating her own immensely successful business, Perky’s Pet Shop. Her pet shop meant the world to her. Even after selling her business to the Pick and Shovel, in an attempt to “slow down”, Doreen continued to work many hours hoping to ensure the success of the business. She absolutely loved the animals and working with the public.
Doreen’s first husband, Alvah, preceded her in 1982, and she later married Ernest Cleveland. Together with Ernie, Doreen was able to enjoy a bit of traveling, building “camp” on Daniels Pond, cheering Ernie on at the tractor pulls, along with many, many fun escapades with family and friends. Ernie’s caring soul brought Doreen such joy and comfort in her later years, and her heart was so saddened when he passed in April.
Doreen cherished the holidays, especially Christmas. Her festively decorated home was often filled family, friends, and an endless supply of delicious food. She effortlessly created lasting memories and family traditions which have been passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her collection of holiday greeting cards was massive, but her joy of sending them was even larger.
Doreen lived a stoic life, always seeming to quietly rise above whatever life handed her. She passed on with that same strong willed demeanor. Doreen will be sadly missed, but forever cherished, by her two daughters Rhonda Reisman and her husband Dave and Roxanne Bedard and her husband Andrew; grandchildren Zachary Twombly, Saige Twombly, Sarah Bedard and her partner Taylor Douglass; her brother Francis Simons and his wife Betty; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Larry and Judy Perkins; Earle and Avis Elliott; Harvey Cleveland and Doreen’s incredibly special friend and cohort Kimberly Brooks; along with lots of extended family, lifelong neighbors and friends, as well as new acquaintances that have had such a wonderful impact on her life.
Doreen requested no services, but would certainly smile if anyone chose to remember her life by helping to care for some sweet animals by donating to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter at 4473 Barton Orleans Road, Orleans, VT 05860, or to a rescue of your choice. Online condolences are available by visiting awrfh.com.
Doreen grew up in the Orleans/Westmore area, where she began waitressing at a young age. There were many stories of the young people working hard together around Willoughby Lake, and then dancing the nights away after work. Doreen was undoubtedly right in the midst of the fun! She continued waitressing in local restaurants for many years. She always joked about wishing she knew how many miles her legs had walked over the years.
She married her sweetheart, Alvah Perkins in 1956. They went on to build a family, sharing their love with two daughters- Rhonda (Reisman) and Roxanne (Bedard). Doreen confidently helped raise two daughters, assisted in Alvah’s bulldozing business, as well as creating her own immensely successful business, Perky’s Pet Shop. Her pet shop meant the world to her. Even after selling her business to the Pick and Shovel, in an attempt to “slow down”, Doreen continued to work many hours hoping to ensure the success of the business. She absolutely loved the animals and working with the public.
Doreen’s first husband, Alvah, preceded her in 1982, and she later married Ernest Cleveland. Together with Ernie, Doreen was able to enjoy a bit of traveling, building “camp” on Daniels Pond, cheering Ernie on at the tractor pulls, along with many, many fun escapades with family and friends. Ernie’s caring soul brought Doreen such joy and comfort in her later years, and her heart was so saddened when he passed in April.
Doreen cherished the holidays, especially Christmas. Her festively decorated home was often filled family, friends, and an endless supply of delicious food. She effortlessly created lasting memories and family traditions which have been passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her collection of holiday greeting cards was massive, but her joy of sending them was even larger.
Doreen lived a stoic life, always seeming to quietly rise above whatever life handed her. She passed on with that same strong willed demeanor. Doreen will be sadly missed, but forever cherished, by her two daughters Rhonda Reisman and her husband Dave and Roxanne Bedard and her husband Andrew; grandchildren Zachary Twombly, Saige Twombly, Sarah Bedard and her partner Taylor Douglass; her brother Francis Simons and his wife Betty; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Larry and Judy Perkins; Earle and Avis Elliott; Harvey Cleveland and Doreen’s incredibly special friend and cohort Kimberly Brooks; along with lots of extended family, lifelong neighbors and friends, as well as new acquaintances that have had such a wonderful impact on her life.
Doreen requested no services, but would certainly smile if anyone chose to remember her life by helping to care for some sweet animals by donating to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter at 4473 Barton Orleans Road, Orleans, VT 05860, or to a rescue of your choice. Online condolences are available by visiting awrfh.com.