Doreen Hake
Watervliet

Doreen's life began March 17, 1923, in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Doreen learned her work ethic in the woolen mills in Skipton England as a young girl in 1938.  After high school graduation in Battle Creek, Michigan, she went to work at Ralston Purina Co.  She was married in 1945 to Richard Hake.  They lived in Toronto where she became a secretary in business and later in education at the University of Toronto.  They returned to Michigan where she raised her family to school age.  She returned to education as North Elementary School secretary in Watervliet.  She spent 25 years in that position, retiring in 1986.  Always actively involved in the Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, she was a choir member and Vestry secretary for many years, during which time she served as Registrar of the Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.

Doreen's greatest joy came in spending time with her loving husband Richard and their loving family which includes; Elizabeth (Kenneth) Howell, Deborah (John) Steenwyk, and Jennifer (Tony) Stephens, five grandchildren Christine Steffic, Stephanie Olson, Brian Olson, Sarah Kilpelainen, and Kyle Stephens, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a sister Kathleen Gay, sisters-in-law Kay Hoag and Bev Dewey, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends Carol Formsma and Mr & Mrs Robert Evans.

Doreen died Friday, January 2, 2015 at home.  Her parents Herbert and Elizabeth (Phillip) Edson, a sister Hazel Lane, two brothers-in-law Richard Lane and Robert Gay, and a nephew Geoffrey Gay precede Doreen in death.  A memorial service will be celebrated Wednesday, January 7, at 11:00 AM at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 1753 Union St., Benton Harbor. In lieu of flowers Doreen's family requests memorials be made to the church or West Michigan Cancer Center, 200 N. Park, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.