Doris Jewell passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025 in South Burlington, VT. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 21,1939 to Sebastian [Fred] and Julia Kufer, German immigrants.
A slideshow is forthcoming, there are hundreds of photos to condense.
~ Christine Jewell 2/4/2025
Later the Kufer family moved to Mohegan Lake, CT. The Kufer’s had a strong relationship with Fred’s sister and her family, Frances & Steve Constand (born Stavros Konstantaras). Doris was the only girl amongst two older brothers and three male cousins who were very dear to her; Nick, Tony, and Bill. The families visited each other often, traveling between New York and Connecticut to visit.
Photo: Doris in the middle with her two older brothers, Jim and Richard in the back, and two of her cousins next to her.
Doris stayed at home to raise three daughters whom she loved dearly. She taught them to love Vermont and the outdoors as well as the arts, music, theater, and travel. The children grew up on Broadway musicals, skiing, and traveled to Florida, California, New York. Doris and Bill traveled to Germany and later Doris explored Europe several times. She embarked on a Mediterranean cruise, took a train through Switzerland, and enjoyed another cruise with her oldest brother Richard.
Photo: The first trip to Germany in the 1980s.
Doris always had boundless energy and was an active volunteer for the school, Girl Scouts, and the Burlington Jazz Festival. She had a strong work ethic and readily adapted to Vermont life; she once received a chainsaw for Mother’s Day.
She always found ways to express her creativity and had a knack for home decorating, gardening, and DIY before it was cool. She loved to entertain, dress up for the holidays, and spread her joy of life. Those around her felt privileged to be in her world.
She had a very strong work ethic and never hesitated to adapt to Vermont life; helping with clearing land, landscaping and building a home on Harvey Road. She famously received a chainsaw for Mother’s Day. Doris was also extremely thrifty, could fix most things and was an avid environmentalist. She always recycled, composted and never wasted anything.
The Jewell’s loved to entertain and Doris was called a “social butterfly” in the community. Doris loved to dress up, whether it was holiday gold and glitter or a humorous Halloween costume. She loved being a hostess and had a smile that could light up the room.
Doris never rested and always kept busy. She had a multi-faceted career that began with serving as the Tax Collector. Later she worked in tour sales at Smuggler’s Notch, which fostered the family’s love for skiing. She became a real estate agent and broker, successfully achieving the $1 million club in sales. Bill and Doris also invested in properties in Jeffersonville and Burlington.
Later in life Doris became a snowbird and eventually moved to Bonita Springs, FL. She developed a circle of friends where she continued to enjoy entertaining, gardening, and an active lifestyle. She lived frugally, but she loved going out and always knew where to find the best happy hour.
Doris is survived by her three daughters and their families; Diane and John Bennink of Monkton, VT, Lori and Tom Delia of Charlotte, VT, and Christine Jewell and her late husband William Knapp of Waterbury, CT. She was known as Nana to her grandchildren, Alessandro, his wife Erica, and Enzo Delia. She would say, “I love to work hard and play hard.” She constantly talked about her family while she spent her last five years in assisted living in Vermont, close to her family.
Doris is survived by her brother Jim Kufer, his wife Anne Marie, and their children. She is predeceased by her oldest brother Richard.
The family wishes to thank The Residences at Quarry Hill in South Burlington for the compassionate care that Doris received for over 5 years at their facility. Many of the staff expressed their grief over the loss of such a wonderful human being. Bayada also provided hospice care that enabled her a peaceful transition. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Residences at Quarry Hill “Associates Fund” which benefits the employees. At the family’s request, services will be private.
4 thoughts on “Doris Jewell”
The Realtor community consists of strong individuals who compete for business but also cooperate for the benefit of the public we serve. Doris was engaging and energetic, dynamic and determined. She never forgot whose interest came first in the transaction, and that was the interest of her clients.
It’s good to read of the rest of her life, and what she valued outside of her work. What a remarkable life!
My sincere condolences to you all
Your mom had a big impact on my life growing up and was a wonderful Girl Scout leader.
I spent many a day, And many wonderful memories at your home.
May your mom rest in peace
Blessings to you all
Renee LeDuc Matthieu and Jeannette LeDuc
So many memories of your mom, who was an artist, a party-thrower, a live wire, and a savvy business woman. Perhaps my favorite memory is this one. Doris was an excellent cook, and one night she invited Luther and me to dinner. It was a sumptuous spread. Doris had made all her German family recipes: I remember amazing stuffed cabbage rolls. We ate and ate. The meal was worthy of a great German restaurant. At the end, Doris announced proudly, “This cost 11 cents a plate!” She was more proud of her thrift than her culinary expertise!
I will never forget the sight of her gorgeous “Christmas stick”: shimmering silver, so elegant, with colored ornaments. It was a beacon of artistry in our humble Harvey Road hovels. But did you kids or Bill appreciate it? No! Like every great artist, she had to pursue her vision alone!
Famously, your mom didn’t talk much about her feelings, and sometimes when someone approached dimensions of feeling, she would say “There”, a meaningless word that carried plenty of meaning, signifying, “I really don’t want to talk about that!” Brought up in a family with an unloving stepmother, she had learned to suppress her emotions. But when we were alone, especially in the later years, she would confide, and the fact she didn’t do it often or easily made those confidences all the more precious.
Pretty much alone, she was the social engine of Underhill Center, and she loved to party, and she loved to dress the part in shimmering silver or gold. She introduced us to every single one of our friends there. I can’t imagine how lonely our life would have been without Doris.
She was a society girl, yes, but she also rocked in nature. I remember one day in deep snow and zero temperatures (remember the snow in Underhill in those days?!), she packed a picnic (complete with a big thermos of soup) and insisted Luther and me and Bill join her in the snowy woods. Can you imagine her getting Luther to do that?!
Each one of her separate (and contradictory) talents is embedded in you girls: the artist, the savvy business woman, the athlete, the incredible (and always money-saving!) cook, the social swinger, the hostess with the mostest. She lives on in you!
It was amazing luck for me to marry into the Constand family and to meet the amazing Kufers. And Doris certainly was a highlight, ball of energy, fun, smart, etc.! Her dancing at our wedding, her laughter, her stories…. a life very well-lived!! Bless those she loved, savor her memory, and go find joy .. like Doris did!!
The Realtor community consists of strong individuals who compete for business but also cooperate for the benefit of the public we serve. Doris was engaging and energetic, dynamic and determined. She never forgot whose interest came first in the transaction, and that was the interest of her clients.
It’s good to read of the rest of her life, and what she valued outside of her work. What a remarkable life!
My sincere condolences to you all
Your mom had a big impact on my life growing up and was a wonderful Girl Scout leader.
I spent many a day, And many wonderful memories at your home.
May your mom rest in peace
Blessings to you all
Renee LeDuc Matthieu and Jeannette LeDuc
So many memories of your mom, who was an artist, a party-thrower, a live wire, and a savvy business woman. Perhaps my favorite memory is this one. Doris was an excellent cook, and one night she invited Luther and me to dinner. It was a sumptuous spread. Doris had made all her German family recipes: I remember amazing stuffed cabbage rolls. We ate and ate. The meal was worthy of a great German restaurant. At the end, Doris announced proudly, “This cost 11 cents a plate!” She was more proud of her thrift than her culinary expertise!
I will never forget the sight of her gorgeous “Christmas stick”: shimmering silver, so elegant, with colored ornaments. It was a beacon of artistry in our humble Harvey Road hovels. But did you kids or Bill appreciate it? No! Like every great artist, she had to pursue her vision alone!
Famously, your mom didn’t talk much about her feelings, and sometimes when someone approached dimensions of feeling, she would say “There”, a meaningless word that carried plenty of meaning, signifying, “I really don’t want to talk about that!” Brought up in a family with an unloving stepmother, she had learned to suppress her emotions. But when we were alone, especially in the later years, she would confide, and the fact she didn’t do it often or easily made those confidences all the more precious.
Pretty much alone, she was the social engine of Underhill Center, and she loved to party, and she loved to dress the part in shimmering silver or gold. She introduced us to every single one of our friends there. I can’t imagine how lonely our life would have been without Doris.
She was a society girl, yes, but she also rocked in nature. I remember one day in deep snow and zero temperatures (remember the snow in Underhill in those days?!), she packed a picnic (complete with a big thermos of soup) and insisted Luther and me and Bill join her in the snowy woods. Can you imagine her getting Luther to do that?!
Each one of her separate (and contradictory) talents is embedded in you girls: the artist, the savvy business woman, the athlete, the incredible (and always money-saving!) cook, the social swinger, the hostess with the mostest. She lives on in you!
It was amazing luck for me to marry into the Constand family and to meet the amazing Kufers. And Doris certainly was a highlight, ball of energy, fun, smart, etc.! Her dancing at our wedding, her laughter, her stories…. a life very well-lived!! Bless those she loved, savor her memory, and go find joy .. like Doris did!!