Lois A. Durocher

Lois Durocher was a woman of such great independence, principle, and character. She was a woman who was so passionate in her beliefs, and so devoted to the causes she cared for. She was a loyal, loving friend and neighbor, and a woman who did much for so many. Most of all, Lois was always her own person, who taught us to be the same. Lois' story began on a cold winter day in 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Those were such good days in this country, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, in the calm before the storm of the Great Depression. On December 13, 1927, Otto and Mary Mae Weilhamer had even more to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Lois Adele. Lois joined her older brother, Otto Jr., in the family's home in Cincinnati, where her father was employed as a college professor. Lois got her own education in the public schools, where she proved to be a bright young student. Growing up, Lois always felt in competition with her brother, and often said he was her parents' favorite. When he was a young man, her brother was studying to become a doctor, and during a trip to Mexico, he contracted Polio, eventually dying from the disease, which affected Lois greatly. After she graduated from high school, Lois attended the University of Cincinnati, where she earned her teaching degree. She also met a man, fell in love, and was married, although her marriage didn't last. Lois took a job teaching Special Education at the Children's Convalescence Hospital in Cincinnati, where she worked for more than 20 years, before finally retiring. Upon her early retirement, she went to visit her aunt in the town of Muskegon, Michigan. One day she met a man there named Al Durocher, who worked at Continental Motors and also operated the Fruitport Golf Driving Range. The two hit it off, and began dating. It wasn't long before they were married, in Marquette, Michigan, where Al's family was from. The couple settled in Muskegon, and were married for 15 years. Their marriage ended in divorce, although their friendship continued. Al even moved into a house next door to Lois, which she also owned, and she helped him out whenever he needed her. Lois found plenty to occupy her time, as well. She became very involved with a group called Republican Women, and volunteered much of her time to candidates during election times. She became good friends with Judge James Graves, and served as treasurer of his campaign several times over the years. Lois was also a large supporter of Hillsdale College, which she respected for its refusal to accept federal funds, and the certain regulations that went with it. Lois was a passionate Republican, and loved to keep up on current events and the issues of the day. She loved to watch "Meet the Press," and was a devoted "Ditto-head," as Rush Limbaugh fans are known. She'd even tape Limbaugh's show for her friends. Lois was also an avid reader, particularly of mystery novels, history and politics. Another of Lois' many passions was for animals, and she was a longtime supporter of the Muskegon Humane Society, even serving as its treasurer. Lois always had canine companions, and they usually were mutts, too. Mitzi, Jackie and Tracey were just a few of her beloved dogs, and her beloved dog Minnie survives her today. She took great care of her dogs, too. Her friend Judge Graves fondly remembers how Lois had the bad habit of feeding the dogs table scraps. The dogs would come to her as skinny little puppies, and it wasn't long before she turned them into blimps! Lois was also a dear, devoted friend, particularly to Marcia Austin, who she knew for the past 26 years. Lois and Marcia lived just a block apart in downtown Muskegon, and saw each other daily. Marcia was also active in the Republican Women and the Humane Society, and the two often went to political conventions together. They enjoyed each other's company very much, and often ate dinner together, went shopping, and even spent the holidays together, too. Marcia was also quite handy around the house, and helped Lois with plumbing, electrical problems, or many other repairs. Even though Lois was a bit of a loner, Marcia was her dearest friend, and meant so much to her over the years. Lois had many other close friends, including her cousins Diane and Carol, who lived in Tennessee. Although they didn't see each other often, they made lots of phone calls regularly. Lois was a very prim and proper lady, who always took great pride in her appearance, and in how she carried herself. Having lived through the Great Depression, she also was a very smart shopper, and if she saw a good deal on something she liked, she'd buy several, whether she needed them or not. Sadly, Lois was diagnosed with lung cancer in the summer of 2006, and underwent five rounds of chemotherapy to battle the disease. The treatments gave her many side effects, and left her a shadow of the vibrant woman she was. She sadly died Sunday, December 3, 2006. Lois was a woman so passionate in her beliefs, and so devoted to those around her. She was a loyal and loving friend, to the many pets and people she cared so much about, and would do anything for. Today her love, and her life, lives on in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by special friends, Marcia Austin, James Graves Jr., Dave Rowe and Al Durocher; her devoted pet Minnie; aunt, Tess Bishop; cousins, Judy (Harry) Robinson, Carol (Dave) Hentz, Diana (Ryan), Joan (Tom) Ferrara and numerous second cousins. She was preceded in death by a brother, Otto Weilhamer, Jr. A service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at 1:00 PM at Clock Chapel. Interment in Cincinnati. Memorials may be made in her name to the Muskegon Humane Society, 2640 Marquette Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 or VNS Hospice House, 888 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49440. Please visit her personal Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.