Obituary: Eugene, Doris A.

Doris A. Eugene

May 17, 1934 ~ April 8, 2024

Lifetime advocate for children & education

Doris Ann Eugene, 89, passed away Monday April 8, 2024, in Easton, MD. Doris was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 17, 1934 to Louis P. and Lucille (Rossi) Gaudin. Doris was married for 66 years, to Gerard L. Eugene, also of New Orleans, and a pharmacist with the US Public Health Service.

Doris lived on both coasts of the United States as Gerard was stationed in New York (twice), Connecticut, California and Washington, DC.  When Gerard retired from the USPHS, they decided to remain in the DC area.  Doris and Gerard raised their four children (2 sons and 2 daughters) in Beltsville, MD where Doris lived in the same house for 51 years before moving to a retirement community in Easton, MD in February 2021. 

Wherever they lived, Doris was always involved with the PTAs of her children’s schools. She was twice elected as President of the Prince George’s County Council of PTAs.  In 1978, Doris was appointed by then Maryland Governor Winfield M. Kelly, Jr. to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education of Prince George’s County.  Doris won election to the PGC School Board three times, serving a total of 14 years, including multiple terms as the Board’s vice-chairman and chairman. Upon her retirement in1992, Doris received many letters of commendation and appreciation from across local, state and national educational groups, and from Maryland’s US Representative Steny Hoyer and US Senator Barbara Mikluski.

In 1994, Doris was honored to be nominated and included among the “Women of Achievement in PGC History.”

After retiring from the School Board in 1992, Doris and Gerard enjoyed many years of traveling both the United States and the world with their friends.  Among their favorite trips, besides visiting family in New Orleans for Oyster Po’boys, were trips to Alaska and the Artic Circle; to the majestic beauty of the Grand Tetons, Mt Rushmore, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon; to Holland during tulip season; to South America and traveling through the Panama Canal; and a river boat cruise through Russia.

In addition to education and traveling, Doris’ passions included quilting and playing cards.  On their many trips, Doris and her friends taught many a traveler “Liverpool Rummy.”  Almost every visit with her daughters ended with a game of Liverpool or “Fourteen,” a good card game for two to four people. Doris also enjoyed music, sports, reading and the “slots.”

Doris is survived by her children, Michael (Rose), Yvonne, Renee, and Stephen (Renee); 10 grandchildren, Christopher (Magda), Daniel (Ting), Patrick (Andrea), Erica, Brent (Ashley), Jenna (Jake), Adam, Abigail, Sarah, and Emily; and 6 great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Waverly, Eliza, Penny, Adrienne, and Jette; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends. 

Doris was predeceased by her husband Gerard Eugene, sister Jean Gaudin deMonsabert Powers, and son-in-law Robert Genova