Doris Andreau
Doris “Dode” Andreau of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 28, 2024, at the age of 89. Doris was born in Leslie, MI on January 15, 1935, the daughter of Arthur and Helen (Isham) Smith. She was one of ten children who all remained close throughout their lives and helped one another to raise each other’s children.
Dode married the love of her life, Kosta Andreau in 1956 and together they raised five children on their farm. Her house was always messy, but a stray animal or child was always welcomed with open arms to become part of the family, and many came and never left over the years. Her house felt like home to everyone who ever entered it.
She grew beautiful flowers and hated weeds. She couldn’t resist a coloring book and spent countless hours filling pages with her grandchildren. Doris was a fiendish collector of rocks and seashells, and never left an establishment without scanning the landscaping for a pretty stone to tuck into her already giant, heavy denim purse. She loved to watch the birds that came to her feeders for dinner and the bird identification book was always on the kitchen table in case a new friend stopped by. Doris knew how to cook “about 10 things really well”, but those staple dishes were always enjoyed. She never missed a Saturday evening “country music show” on TV. Her true pride was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a doting, loving mom and grandma who would drop everything and move the world for the people she loved. Doris was a teacher of important life lessons like how to make anything grow, bake a pie, or sooth a crying baby. She had the patience of a saint for countless children, all of whom adored her. Doris was calm and strong and had no time for flare or drama. Everyone knew to look for her fuzzy white hair when you drove past that big blue house. She would always wave and smile, and greet you with her loving, sing-song, “Hello”. Doris was simply the best, and those who loved her most will miss her forever.
Doris is survived by her children, Sandy (Jeff) Waldron, Alex (Maggie) Andreau; daughter-in-law, Jill Andreau; grandchildren, Stacy (Rob) Bryson, Chris (Dan) Brown, Katie (Ryan Osborn) Youngs, Greg (Sarah) Waldron, Eric (Andrea) Andreau, Erica (Josh) Lawrence; great grandchildren, Delayne, Jamison, Nathan, Lucas, Elizabeth, Bryce, Bobby, Porter, Donald, Jocelyn and Kosta; brothers, Gary (Sharon) Smith, Tom (Kathy) Smith; sister, Margaret Abbott; sisters-in-law, Verna Smith and Judy Silsby. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kosta in 2018; sons, Chris in 1978, Nick in 2014, Rick in 2019.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Doris Jane Andreau. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.