Town of Hunter Tidbits: Hunter resident enriched our history for 100 years
This week’s column is in honor of one of our town’s most remarkable citizens, Doris Hoyt O’Brien.
Many of us were blessed to have her as our teacher in our early years at Hunter Elementary School. Doris was the perfect teacher for those influential years of schooling. She was a bright, gentle, intelligent teacher with a great sense of humor. I asked her daughter, Jane Lucas, to give us some information on her mom. Thank you, Jane, for sharing additional insight into your mom’s life.
Doris Hoyt O’Brien began her story 100 years ago, Nov. 18, 1919. Doris was born at home, as were most babies back then. She was the fourth child of Lena Becker and Hiram (Hippy) Hoyt. Her family included her sisters, Charlotte and Bernice, along with brothers Eddie, George and Woody. Only Doris is left.
Doris grew up in Hunter and attended Hunter Elementary School. She then went to Tannersville High School, HTC, and graduated in 1938, within two years of the centralization of HTC.
Doris always wanted to go to college and become a teacher — but as Jane said, this would take a lot of determination and hard work to achieve. Jane said her mom worked at many jobs as a babysitter, housekeeper, and a waitress. She carefully put away every cent she made. For many summers, she worked for Mae Gordon in Hunter, who saved her money for her until she was ready to go to college. Doris went off to SUNY Oneonta and graduated in 1944. After graduation, Doris taught third and fourth grades at the Abraham Kellogg Central School in Treadwell near Oneonta until 1946.
In the fall of 1946, she began a 33-year teaching career at Hunter Elementary School. There she taught first grade for 23 years, followed by 10 years as a remedial reading teacher. Doris loved teaching (and the students loved her) and stayed until 1974. During this time, she attended night classes at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Albany to earn her master’s degree.
Her excellence in teaching rewarded her with the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1974.
Doris married John J. O’Brien (Joe) on June 15, 1944. It was wartime, and Joe was in the Army. They got married when he was home on leave — she stayed in Hunter, and Joe went overseas. When Joe returned, he got a job with the railroad — Joe would commute every day for 40 years.
Doris and Joe tried to get in as much traveling as they could, sandwiched between their years of working. They saw Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Ireland, and Hawaii. Cape Cod was a favorite summer destination for Joe and Doris.
Doris was always ready to help any neighbor in need. For many years Doris (and Bernice) were at the helm of the food pantry and the thrift shop. She carried that dedication into many other volunteer organizations. Doris was a member of the Kaaterskill United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Greene County Cancer League, HTC Alumni Association (Historian), Mt. Top Golden Agers, the Knit Wits, Mountain Top Historical Society, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (professional women motivated to make a difference in promoting education), and the Greene County Teacher’s Association. Doris also enjoyed her years as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. One favorite hobby was baking cakes, largely birthday and wedding cakes.
Doris’ life was not always easy. She had losses of parents, siblings, husband, and grandson, but her strength and independent spirit got her through. Jane said that Doris would say that she has had a very good life — blessed by family, her students, and the friends she has made over 100 years.
Doris is fortunate to have her sight and to be living in the home she has lived in for 67 years. She still enjoys telling stories, listening to music, being read to, spelling tests (she rarely misses a word), and of course, her two daughters and her extended family.
Thank you, Jane, for giving the community further insight into your mom’s 100-year life.
Thank you, Doris, for allowing us to share a part of your life.
Until next week, take care. Be thankful and be kind. You never know how your act of kindness may change someone’s life. Any comments or concerns, please contact: hunterhistorian@gmail.com, or call 518-589-4130.
