Doris K. Underwood

Doris K. Underwood, 97, of Peterborough, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on June 14, 2025. She was born on April 26th, 1928, in Verona, NJ to Charles and Anastasia (Gillen) Krauss.

Doris K. Underwood was born at home in Verona, NJ on April 26th, 1928, the youngest child of Charles and Anastasia Krauss. Her father died when she was two and her older brother and sister were in their teens and young adulthood. She grew up in New Jersey and during the Second World War, she lived with her mother and her sister Marie, while Marie’s husband, Melvin Fryer, fought in the Philippines. After Doris graduated high school, she worked for Bell Telephone rising to the position of supervisor. She also pursued a modeling career, appearing in a number of magazines and newspapers. Her sister-in-law’s brother worked in the lumber business and was entertaining a young man from Gardner, MA, and set Doris up on a blind date. Within three months, Doris married Clinton Jerome (Jerry) Underwood, Jr. She always said, “When you know, you know!”

After Doris and Jerry were married, they had three children in NJ. Jerry was offered a job in Boston so they relocated to Andover, MA. There they had two more children. In 1976, the family moved to the Snowville section of Eaton, NH. Doris served as the Supervisor of the Checklist of the Town of Eaton for twenty years. After Jerry retired, Doris and Jerry moved to Peterborough in 2002 to be closer to Jerry’s sister, cousins, extended family, and the Underwood Farm, founded by Jerry’s family in 1796. Doris made many friends and spent many happy years with her growing family and her beloved dogs, Molly and Max.

Doris traveled the world, from Radio City Music Hall to Montana, Florida, Chicago, and Texas, to the Canadian Rockies, New York Botanical Gardens, Belgium, Germany, and the Alps to celebrate family weddings and celebrate grandchildren and to explore. She enjoyed the travel but she always loved her home.

Doris was a woman of many gifts. She was a talented artist, gardener, knitter, perfectionist, advisor, and confidant. Her humor, curiosity, and passion for life continued literally until her dying day.

Doris Krauss Underwood is survived by Christopher Underwood and his spouse, Fiona, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, their children and partners, Campbell and Lily of Westbrook, Maine, Alistair of Seattle, Washington, and Tristan and Ghi of Düsseldorf, Germany; by Jereme C. Underwood of Tamworth, New Hampshire; by Kelly Underwood Lydon of Sandwich, Illinois and her children, Matthew of Naperville, Illinois and Chelsea of Campton Hills, Illinois; by Michele Underwood of Corvallis, Montana; and by Kimberly Levy and her spouse, Todd, of Austin, Texas and their children and partner, Sarah and Brayden of Georgetown, Texas, and Rachel of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Marie’s daughter, Susan Sessoms of New Jersey, and her family and by her nieces, Cathy Meerbergan and Abigail Wendell, and their families. Finally, Millie, Kelly’s darling dog, who was with Doris whenever she needed her and who mourns her as do we all.

Doris was predeceased by her husband, C. Jerome (Jerry) Underwood, Jr. on May 1, 2017.

Please join us for a celebration of her fabulous life on June 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord St., Peterborough, NH 03458.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Doris’ name to Peterborough Fire and Rescue Fire Rescue.us, Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services hcsservices.org., or Monadnock Humane Society.