Obituary of Eunice Lee Fuller

WINTER HAVEN - Eunice Lee Fuller, 91, passed peacefully Saturday, February 15, 2014, of congestive heart failure. She was surrounded by family, friends and of course, pictures of her beloved dogs, Jay and Charley. Born in Detroit in 1922, she moved to NYC in 1940 with her mother and two sisters. She attended both The Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y. and The School of Performing Arts in NYC to study drama, where she developed her life-long love of the theatre. She worked Summer Stock at the famous Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod, where she became close friends with Gregory Peck and did a short stint on Broadway in the play "A Kiss For Cinderella". In 1942 she left for Kansas City to marry the dashing new Cavalry Officer, William "Bill" Fuller whom she had met while wintering with her family in Winter Haven. Bill was living and working in New York prior to WW II. He preceded her in death in 1982. "Eunie" became a golfaholic in the sixties and enthusiastically embarrassed herself on the links of Lake Region and beyond until into her 70s. She traveled extensively, first with Bill, then with her friends, often driving her fondly remembered (and sometimes feared) Buick Roadmaster to New England and Canada. Since golf, she devoted herself to her beloved Theatre Winter Haven and philanthropic endeavors, a trait she had learned from her mother, Helen Joy Lee and her grandmother, Helen Newberry Joy. Her Great-Grandfather, James Frederick Joy, was instrumental in building the railroad and shipping businesses in the Great Lakes Region. Her grandfather founded Packard Motors in 1902, when he and a group of investors bought the tiny Ohio Automobile Company from James Packard and moved the company to Detroit. When the exploding automobile industry figured out that paved roads might be a good idea, he became the President of the Lincoln Highway Association, which built the first trans-continental highway known today as Route 66. The environment in which she was raised taught her both a strong work ethic and the responsibility of wealth and sharing. Consequently, Eunice was awarded the title of "Woman of the Year" by the Central Florida Banking Association in 2008. Eunice, or, as she preferred to be recognized, Mrs. William H. Fuller, is survived by her middle son, Michael, of Winter Garden, and youngest son, Bradford (Patricia) of Maitland. Her oldest son, William (Alison), known as Slim, died in Los Angeles in 2003. Eunice also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life is currently being planned with details to follow. All will be welcome. A tree will be planted near Bill's tree at the Country Club of Winter Haven in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Eunice's philosophy, please make a donation in her honor to a charity of your choice . If you need some ideas, Theatre Winter Haven, The Humane Society and the Community Foundation of Winter Haven would all make her smile. Arrangements are by Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven, 863-967-5090.