March 21, 1920 — March 15, 2016

Alice L. Doane, 95, of North Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Cassopolis, passed away on March 15, 2016. She was the wife of the late Lynn Doane. She is survived by her only son and daughter in law, Randell C. and Rebecca G. Doane, and their children, Elizabeth, Bryan and Rand. Alice was also preceded in death by her siblings, Cecil Page, Anson Page and Jesse (Page) Fuller.

Alice was born on March 21, 1920, in Dowagiac, Michigan. She married Lynn Doane in 1944 and celebrated 67 years of marriage before his passing in 2011. While they resided in many places in the United States, they always called Cassopolis, Michigan home. Alice and Lynn happily spent time on their beautiful farm near Cassopolis and cherished the rural flavor and natural beauty of the area.

In the last few years, when the winter Michigan winds would blow, they would pack up and head south together to spend warm winter months with their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren in the Palm Beach area of Florida. Alice in particular loved Florida and its glorious beaches. Her joy in nature was made apparent by her volunteer spirit at MacArthur Beach State Park — specifically The Nature Center.

She was cherished by park employees and visitors alike. Alice enjoyed working at The Nature Center until her passing, never turning down an opportunity to get up, get out and be in the midst of other nature lovers.

Alice has another interesting chapter in her legacy which verifies her strong persona, patriotic spirit and adventuresome soul. During World War II, she became the quintessential “Rosie the Riveter!” She worked at Ford’s Ypsilanti bomber factory near Detroit assembling B-24s for the war effort.

Alice was voted by over 20,000 of her peers as the most diligent and efficient worker in the plant. She was afforded the honor of meeting Henry Ford in person and was taken on a personal flight in one of the B-24s constructed at the plant. Alice was thrilled by the honor and experience, and her family is equally thrilled to pass along this story to perpetuate a special time in Alice’s life she always treasured.

Family and friends will gather for a graveside service to memorialize Alice’s life at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, in South Wayne Cemetery, 22031 Gage St. (between O’Keefe and Griffs Road) with the Reverend John Messner officiating. Mrs. Doane’s remains will be laid to rest beside those of her beloved husband to complete the circle of love they shared for so many years.

The family prefers donations be made in Alice’s memory to Friends of MacArthur Beach – The Nature Center, 10900 Jack Nicholas Drive, North Palm Beach, Florida, 33408. Alice would be so pleased and forever grateful.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.