Obituary of Doris B. Houghton

JUNIUS — Doris B. Houghton, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday (January 4, 2024) after an extended 3 ½ year period of contending with a rare, incurable and debilitating neurological disease. Doris was born in Johnson City, NY, the daughter of Henry M. and Frieda G. Baldwin. She was a 1963 graduate of Whitney Point Central School. Doris received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1967 and completed her Master of Science teaching degree at Union College in 1973. Doris is survived by Peter "Pete" Houghton, her husband of 58+ years whom she married in 1965 while they were both students at Cornell; children Kelly (Craig) Olson of Windsor, CA, Will (Renee Kazukiewicz) Houghton of East Aurora, NY, Liz (Brad Sandbek) Houghton of Seneca Falls, NY, and John (Kerri) Houghton of Glenville, NY; siblings Lorna (Ed) Burton of Penn Yan, NY, Charlie (Jan) Baldwin of Maine, NY, Jean (John) Greenmun of Waynesboro, VA, Dick (Beth) Baldwin of Westfield, MA, Don (Debra) Baldwin of Stanley, NY, and Joyce Baldwin of Waverly, NY; eight loving grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents. Doris chose to be a stay-at-home mom to her four children for nearly 20 years. In addition to this endeavor, both prior to having children and when they were older, she had varied employment, including Laboratory Analyst at the NYS Food Laboratory; Laboratory Assistant at the Geneva Experiment Station; Mortgage Reviewer at USDA Farm and Home Administration; Substitute Teacher and Individual Tutor for area school districts; Classroom Teacher at the Willard Drug Treatment Center; and Property Analyst with the NYS Office of Real Property Services. Furthermore, she served two terms as the elected Town of Junius Town Clerk and was a member of the Junius Planning Board. She was active in outdoor activities and was an avid trail hiker for many years. Doris completed the 500+ mile Finger Lakes Trail across southern New York State, as well as the 600+ mile Bruce Trail in Canada. She was a member of both the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Doris had a keen interest in activities involving early Americana crafts. She was very involved in the painstaking restoration of her historic cobblestone home in the Town of Junius, where she resided for over 46 years. She learned many aspects of early crafts including chair caning, rush seating, wool rug braiding, wall stenciling, floor cloth painting, wood furniture restoration and painting of early tinware. Doris was also a member of the Central New York Chapter of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration. In summer, she loved flower and vegetable gardening, antique shows, cookouts, water activities and boat rides. Winter activities included cross country skiing, downhill sledding and tending to birds at numerous feeders. Most of all, Doris was a devoted mother and grandmother who relished family gatherings, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Her old cobblestone house was alive with joyous gatherings of siblings, in-laws, friends, children, grandchildren with toys scattered about, and dogs constantly underfoot. She enjoyed preparing holiday meals on an antique Kalamazoo cast iron wood burning cook stove that had been handed down from her grandmother. Her kindness, warm smile, joyous laughter, engaging personality, boundless energy and loving care provided to her family will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered. Calling hours will be Saturday (January 20, 2024) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Coe-Genung Funeral Home, 46 West Main St, Waterloo, NY 13165. A time of sharing will take place at the end of calling hours at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baldwin Memorial Scholarship Fund, Stacy Black (District Clerk, Whitney Point Central School District) 10 Kiebel Road, Whitney Point, NY 13860; the Historical Society of Early American Decorators, CNY Chapter, Pat Kimber, 13 Cayuga Street, Union Springs, NY 13160; or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Inc., 6111 Visitor Center Road, Mount Morris, NY 14510. The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at the Wayne County Nursing Home for the exceptional care and comfort provided to Doris over her extended residency period in their facility, and to recognize the efforts of the staff at Rochester Regional Health Hospice. The family also recognizes and thanks Ms. Sherry Godley and Ms. Rita Montgomery for the personal care and comfort they provided for Doris during her early in-home care period.