Doris Eileen Wainwright

y

It is with sadness and loving reflection that on January 19, 2021 Doris Eileen (Cronin) Wainwright, 92, of Beverly, Ohio, recently residing at Highland Oaks Health Center in McConnelsville, passed peacefully with family members at her side.Doris, daughter of the late Leland and Freda (Harmon) Cronin was born in Woodsfield, Ohio on December 23rd, 1928 along with her twin sister Ruth Ellen.  After living in Marietta and McConnelsville, the Cronin family settled in Beverly where Doris graduated from Beverly High as Valedictorian, winning a scholarship to Marietta College which she attended until her marriage.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Harra Wainwright who she married on April 6, 1947, in Beverly.  They were married 52 years.  Doris and Melvin owned and worked side by side in both the Sinclair Gasoline Station and later the Save More Supermarket in Beverly until Melvin retired.In addition to working with her husband for many years, Doris was the Department Secretary (Executive Director) for the American Legion Auxiliary for the State of Ohio for 27 years.  She retired at the age of 71 in 1998. Doris’s devotion to her family, the Beverly community, her Church, the American Legion, and its sister organization the Auxiliary motivated all of her days, and gave her continuous joy. American Legion Post 389 and Auxiliary Unit 389, permeated her life as she served in multiple capacities both locally and at the state level, assisting and volunteering well into her 80’s when she continued to mail care packages to those serving in the military all over the globe. She marched in multiple parades, visited Veteran’s hospitals, devoted many weeks to Buckeye Girls State, graded American Legion essays, and in short was devoted to the country and our Veterans.Doris had a love for numbers and banking, majoring in business at Marietta College, and she worked at the Waterford Bank while attending college.  Later in life she became the first female to serve on the Board of Directors for the Waterford Commercial and Savings Bank and served on that Board until 2017.Doris was twice named Outstanding Citizen of the Beverly Waterford Community by the Chamber of Commerce, most recently in 2014.  In addition to being a life-long member of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 389, she belonged for 70+ years to the Beverly United Methodist Church, serving on various committees during her life.  Doris volunteered annually at the Beverly Waterford Homecoming, never missing an opportunity to sell tickets to support the Auxiliary. She also was a member of the Mt. Moriah Eastern Star, Child Conservation League, United Methodist Women, Muskingum Valley Chamber of Commerce, and significantly, Doris was one of the original members of the Waterford Fair Board. Doris and her family were key developers of the Annual Beverly Waterford Bunny Hop 5K, now in its 19th year.  Always a tireless worker, the impact of her efforts whether helping serve church dinners, visiting Veteran facilities or sending packages to deployed soldiers - she left a legacy for all of us to follow .Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Harra Wainwright, her siblings: brother, Vernon Cronin, Ruth Roach -twin, Jane Westfall, and her grandson, Corey Andy .Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews will fondly remember Doris and Melvin’s home, which was always open and welcoming to family and friends and filled with great food.  Doris’s homemade noodles, coffee cakes, red pepper jam and canned beets have fed many local friends and family. Doris and Melvin raised five children who deeply mourn her passing:  Barbara Ruth (John) Armitage, Steven Cronin (Christine), Terry Douglas, Carol Ann (Timothy) Andy, and Dianne Sue (Sandra Harris).  Doris served as a strong female role-model for many; her children and grandchildren will always remember Doris being the volunteer who stepped up, never said no, and gave 100%!Grandchildren remaining to celebrate her life include: Jason (Tanum) Armitage and great grandchild (Harra), Jesse (Amanda) Armitage (great grandsons Luke and Jack), Katie (Troy) Tucker, Maggie (Frank) Eich (greats – Frankie, Lennon and Quinn), Stevie (Ryan) Riggs (greats - Duke and Nico), Roberta (Matthew) Pitts (greats-Garrett, Eleanor and Lyla), Sean (Lee Ann) Wainwright (greats - Finnley and Lydia), Timothy (Karli) Andy (Grady, Milli, and Corie), and Ian Wainwright Harris.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Beverly United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 23, 2021; visitation 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Funeral services (including Eastern Star and American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 389 ceremonies) following visitation. Pastor Jerry Penrod officiating. Doris loved flowers, however, in lieu of flowers you may make a donation in her name to the Beverly United Methodist Church, 700 Park Street, Beverly, Ohio, 45715, or to the Russell Chadwick American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 389, P. O. Box 952, Beverly, Ohio 45715, the two organizations she loved so dearly. McCurdy Funeral Home in Beverly is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.mccurdyfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Eileen Wainwright, please visit our floral store.