Doris Ericksen

Doris Ericksen, 94, passed away peacefully at home October 22, 2024. She was a first generation American, born in Brooklyn, NY, on December 9, 1929, to James Farquharson from Scotland, and Dorothy (Carter) from Prince Edward Island, Canada. 

Early in life, Doris developed a love for theater and as an English major at Dickinson College, PA, she wrote and produced a play, “Out of the Red”. After attending Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, NY, Doris had a successful career in the 1950s as a copywriter in New York City, where she worked on accounts for DeSoto, Campbell Soup, and Betty Crocker. It was there that she met her future husband, Arthur Ericksen, who was also in advertising. Together they relocated from New York to Louisville, KY, to Chicago, IL, and finally to Detroit, MI, for Art’s work while Doris raised their three children. Art and Doris enjoyed 49 wonderful years of marriage before his death in 2006. 

During her nearly fifty years in Grosse Pointe, MI, Doris was active in the Meals on Wheels program, Junior League, Daughters of the British Empire, and volunteering at the local library. She enjoyed working behind the scenes on community theater productions, where she designed and painted sets, and sewed costumes. Other interests included gardening, oil painting, and creative writing. Doris was an avid reader of mystery stories, literature, and non-fiction works – always eager to learn more about people, places, and history. 

She moved to Farmington, NM, in 2014 to be closer to her daughter and family. There she became a driving force in establishing a library for her retirement community, which she lovingly maintained until her death. 

Doris is survived by her sons, Bruce and Craig (Donna); her daughter Ellen Davis (Randall); and five grandchildren Matthew, Benjamin, and Joshua Ericksen; Andrew and Callie Rose Davis. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Farquharson. 

Doris will be remembered fondly by family and friends for her generous heart, encouraging spirit, and boundless creativity.