November 6, 1945 - July 16, 2022
Service
Saturday, August 13th 2 p.m. at Moreland Funeral Home
Doreene M. Linzell, passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2022. She was born November 6, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN. She was a retired Spanish teacher from Westerville City Schools. She was an avid birder, world traveler, loved cooking, knitting, reading mystery books and was active in many organizations throughout her life. She was a dear friend to many. Doreene is preceded in death by her first husband Frank Cox, whom she met in her college days and is survived by his brother and wife, Roger and Leonda Cox, who have remained dear family friends. She then met Herbert K. Linzell on a field studies trip to Mexico and they married and she became step-mother to his children, Michael L Linzell, Lori K Wilson and Brenda Stinett. They spent many wonderful years together. Doreene was very involved in the American Field Studies program for student exchange, she coordinated many foreign students' home stays and local students' trips abroad. After the passing of Herbert and his first wife, Judith Arnett she took on the role as his childrens parental figure. She is grandmother extraordinaire to Loris children, Holly and Haley Wilson. She provided wisdom and guidance throughout their lives. This passing has left a large hole in their hearts. Doreene was also a mom and/or grandma to extendedfamily Brianna and Helena Wilson, Becky and Randy Davis, Larry Herritt and family, Michael Keethler. Doreene met Dan Sanders through Columbus Avid Birders in the late 90s and some years later he became her longtime partner until her death. They were noted as being top birders in the state of Ohio and have been integral part of the Ohio birding community for over 20 years. They traveled all over the world pursuing their passion for birding and world exploration. Doreene has touched many people in her life, I can not even begin to list all of them. You know who you are and our family extends our condolences and appreciation for your friendship. The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 2 pm, Moreland Funeral Home, 55 E.Schrock Rd, Westerville, Ohio 43081. We encourage people to wear something that represents Doreenes love and passion for birding. Alternatively, wear something associated with a group she was a member of with you. Or, considering wearing her favorite color purple. The Eulogy will be given by her brother-in-law, Roger Cox. Anyone who wishes to speak is welcomed to do so. Following the service we will have an around-the-world potluck to honor her love for cooking and world travel at The Event Loft, 5441 Westerville Rd, Westerville, Ohio 43081; across from the Iron Pony. The service will be live-streamed by Morelands. The family requests in lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in honor of Doreene to organizations that were dear to her. Ohio Ornithological Society, https://ohiobirds.org/donations/#!form/Donations PO Box 2432, Westerville, Ohio 43086. Columbus Audubon https://columbusaudubon.org/act-now/support-columbus-audubon/. Polycystic Kidney foundation https://pkdcure.org/give/ .
Condolences
Janet Duerr - Aug 15, 2022
My husband Steve and I met Doreene in spring 2003 on our first trip to Shawnee with the Avid Birders from Columbus Audubon. She and Gretchen were so welcoming, adding human warmth (and birding expertise) to the day. We soon started inviting them to join us on our birding trips to Mexico, Ecuador, South Africa, and more. She always made the trips better and brighter, with her understated expertise, keen eye, and joy in the birds, food, people, and experiences. Never a harsh word, always a smile and twinkle. She will be deeply missed.
June Ketchum - Aug 13, 2022
I’ve known Doreen for many years and have been on birding trips with her to South America, Africa and Mexico. Once I purchased a tablecloth from a woman in Mexico. I don’t speak Spanish. When I showed Doreene my bargain and told her how much I paid her face sank. Apparently I had paid a small fortune for it. Doreene shamed the woman into returning my money snd accepting correct payment. I will be forever grateful for that. She was a great birding compadre and will be missed
John and Steffanie Haueisen - Aug 8, 2022
We have known Doreene for decades, starting when Steffanie and Doreene were both foreign language teachers in Westerville. She was a regular at our monthly breakfast get-togethers and she and Dan always brought minds full of scientific facts, and also a patient attitude towards everyone's ideas and questions. We used to enjoy fondue dinners with her, and life without her can never be the same. But we do have her as an important part of our own memories and attitudes. We can only sum up her life, by something those who know her already know: There was never a kinder and more caring friend, mother, or grandmother. Doreene, you will always be with us. --John and Steffanie
Mary and Tom Whitney - Jul 25, 2022
We met Doreene through AFS, the foreign exchange program she headed at Westerville North High School. Doreene and AFS changed our family for the better and greatly broadened our view of the world. Together with Doreene’s encouragement, we hosted several students and got to know even more students. Fred from Belgium has extended his regrets, so has Gordon from South Africa, and Daeng from Thailand. Our sons Phil and Dan became involved with Doreene and AFS and so did our daughter Diane. Doreene has encouraged us to explore the world and befriend people from everywhere. Doreene enjoyed trying new foods on a restaurant menu. She collected cookbooks from everywhere and found recipes in them to try. Early on, Doreene introduced us to Indian and Thai cuisine. These are among our favorites to this day! In later years, we enjoyed meals with Doreene and Dan with board and card games afterwards. Doreene and Herb loved to travel! Summers were often spent elsewhere. Herb loved to wear the shirts Dor made from fabric they found in Africa and South America. Doreene introduced us to bird watching. Now we notice them on our travels and in our back yard.
Carol Keethler VanDyke - Jul 21, 2022
I first knew Herb since he was my neighbor in Flint. So I knew him for awhile before he married Dor. Over the years Dor and Herb have let my children Mike Keethler and Becky Davis stay at their home while they were tripping around the world in the summers. We, my husband Bob and I became good friends with them. After my husband and Herb passed away about the same time, Dor asked me if I wanter to go to Australia with her to visit a long time friend they had met during one of their summers. It was a trip I will never forget ... Dor would be looking up looking for birds, and I would be looking down looking for strange and pretty rocks! We spent a month with Deb and her husband John. They have in the past visited both of us here. Dor was a very special person, and will be missed by so many.
Ann Warner - Jul 20, 2022
I had the opportunity to meet Doreene only once, when she was in Wooster searching for the Northern saw-whet owl that was hiding high in a tree. It is rare that you spend only an hour or so with a person and that person leaves a profound impression on you. She was clearly a person who loved birding as much for the people she met as for the birds she discovered. My condolences to her loved ones who I am sure will miss her tremendously. You were all blessed to have a woman like her in your lives.