Doris Marie Keefe McLeod

Published 12:26 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Doris Marie Keefe McLeod passed away on Friday, Feb. 27 at her home in Columbus at the age of 96. Born in Quincy, Mass. to John J. and Alice Collins Keefe on Aug. 17, 1918, Doris was the second child of four, having an elder brother, John, and two younger sisters, Lorraine and Lois.

Doris attended Boston University, graduating in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Following graduation, she taught elementary school with a passion she carried long after she left the classroom.

Doris loved dancing, and in 1943, she attended a dance at the behest of a friend’s mother. There she met Naval officer Peter Albert McLeod, Jr. To the dismay of other women trying to catch the eye of the gallant sailor from Mississippi, Doris and Pete wed in August of 1944.

Following World War II, Pete became an engineer and the two moved to Maywood, N.J. There they became parents to Peter Albert McLeod, III and Dale Mayre McLeod.

In 1968, the two relocated to Atlanta, Ga. Doris became a driving force for good in the community around their home on Ashentree Drive, volunteering with Northside Hospital since its opening. Upon her “retirement” in 2005, Doris had shared 35 years and more than 6,600 hours of service with the hospital.

For three and a half decades, Doris also could be found in the American Association of University Women (AAUW) bookroom. Under her supervision, the book fair grossed some of its highest revenues. The book fair continues to be one of the greatest fundraisers for the AAUW Atlanta Chapter.

Doris and Pete shared great experiences, traveling the world, enjoying martinis at the Latin Quarter, taking in Frank Sinatra concerts and sitting in Amen Corner as patrons of the Augusta National since 1973. After 48 years of marriage, Doris’ cherished Pete passed in 1992.

In 2005, Doris relocated to the foothills of North Carolina and reaped the benefits of being close to her daughter Dale Govus, son-in-law Steve Govus, granddaughters Megan Keefe Govus Harrison and Lillian Marie Govus, son-in-law Ryan Harrison, great-grandchildren Etta Bea and Miles Harrison, and cat, Betsy.

Doris was preceded in her death by her husband, sisters, brother, son and two granddaughters. She is survived by her daughter, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A small memorial service will be held at LaureHurst in Columbus, N.C. on Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family greatly appreciates honoring Doris’ memory with contributions to the Atlanta Chapter of the AAUW or the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, who provided her with outstanding care on her journey to be reunited with her beloved husband.