Doris Eakin Gurnee

Doris "Dot" Eakin Gurnee, age 96, of Belleair, Florida, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2015, at her home. She was born near Lexington, Mississippi on June 5, 1919. Small in stature, Dot was tenacious in all that she put her mind to. She was an accomplished artist and athlete. She specialized in pottery, from hand thrown pieces with her own special glazes, to sculptures of her family members. She took up archery to support an interest of her husbands and became the Women's National Instinctive Archery Champion in 1962. She was also an avid tennis and bridge player throughout her adult life, thriving on the competition. After her husband died in 1978, her main hobby became foreign travel. She loved to regale her friends and family with stories and educational slide shows from her many trips. With all of her activities, Dot still had time to volunteer with such organizations as Meals on Wheels and the Cole County Medical Auxiliary. She was a long time docent at the Governor's mansion in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she and her family made their home. Dot moved to Belleair, Florida in 2002, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Both in Missouri and Florida, she remained a dedicated and involved member of her beloved PEO. Dot was predeceased by her husband, Landon, and daughter Marilyn (Lyn) Cantonis. She is survived by her son, Robert; son-in- law, Jim Cantonis (Allie); four grandchildren Matthew (Mary), Anastasia, Juliana Jeanne, and Meredith, as well as two great-grandchildren Charlotte and Lucille Lyn. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 9 at the Church of Ascension, Clearwater, Fla. at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Morton Plant Mease Foundation, 1200 Druid Road, S., Clearwater, FL, in her honor. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs, FL 727-942-0515