Doloris Jean (Hiaeshutter) Moore

Doloris Jean Moore, age 93 of Grand Haven, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Grand Pines Assisted Living. She was born on December 22, 1929, in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late Frank and Marriedith (Phillips) Hiaeshutter. Jean married David Moore on June 16, 1972, in Alexandria, VA. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2015, after 42 years of a happy marriage.

“Romper, bomper, stomper boo, Tell me, tell me, tell me do, Magic mirror tell me today, Did our friends have fun with us at play?” Remember the children’s television show of the ‘60s? What child did not know the rhyme that opened the very popular children’s show, “Romper Room?” It first appeared on Baltimore television in 1954 and ran in almost every major market for over three decades. It has been referred to as “truly a gem in the world of children’s television.” Each week, six children, preschoolers, were selected to be on the show, where they played games, read books, learned the alphabet, were taught good manners in a gentle way and were presided over by a teacher. In 1955, the Lansing, MI, franchise hired a teacher who was featured as “Miss Jean,” and whom we know in Green Valley today as Jeannie (Mrs. David) Moore.

At the tender age of three, Jean started singing on “Uncle Howdy’s Kiddie Jamboree” in Lansing on station WJIM. She was so tiny she had to stand on a piano bench to reach the microphone. She continued singing from kindergarten through sixth grade for any special school events.

At age 9, Jean began private voice lessons at the Wilde Conservatory of Music in Lansing. She sang in holiday programs, and in many special school events. At 12, Jean sang every Saturday morning on local radio for over two years. She was also a regular soloist at several churches.

In school, she performed in operettas and other special musical programs, and entertained at clubs such as Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis.

In 1948, Jean was named “Miss Lansing” in the Miss America pageant, while a student at Michigan State College. At that time, she sang in the Lansing Civic Light Opera.

After a move with her family to Grand Rapids, Jean sang in the Grand Rapids Light Opera Company. It was at this time, that she heard “Romper Room” was in town auditioning for a teacher; she auditioned, and, to her great joy, was hired.

After training in Baltimore, Jean, now “Miss Jean,” went on the air November 19, 1955. The program aired every morning, Monday through Friday. With this busy schedule, Jean says, she was still able to be home by lunchtime to eat with her own children.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, the program had visiting firemen, doctors, dentists, policemen, even a zoo official who brought live animals for the children to see. On one visit, the zookeeper brought a live python, who wrapped himself around “Miss Jean’s” arm and up her sleeve— zounds!

“We talked of health habits, good manners, sharing and caring,” explains Jean. A bulletin board, prominently displayed, had a message on it every day. The board depicted a bee, one called “Mr. Do-Bee” and one named “Mr. Don’t Bee” who gave worthwhile messages to the children.

Says Jean, “The children loved Mr. Do-Bee.” She continues, “The children watching at home were encouraged to take part in all the activities. We also had school groups visit on Thursdays of each week.” Jean was cited for her outstanding work with the preschoolers, which the program helped cultivate.

Outside of the television studio, as “Romper Room” teacher, Jean’s responsibilities included visiting children’s wards at local hospitals, take part in parades, and the various activities created by her sponsors, such as breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, to name a few. In 1964, Jean was honored by the Grand Rapids Education Association with a Certificate of Appreciation and Honorary GREA Membership, of which she is very proud.

WOOD-TV’s “Romper Room” was unique in that Jean was its teacher for 13 years, a record among Romper Room teachers! In 1960, a management decision was made to discontinue the program. There was such an outcry from parents and children that “There is no doubt, ‘Romper Room’ was ‘King of the Hill’,” claims Jean. She continued as a teacher through 1968, and then retired from broadcasting.

Jean then went to work for United Way, and, later, when she and her husband David moved to Kansas City, she continued her work for United Way as the director of the Speakers and Films division and totaled 19 years with that organization.

In 1984, Jean and David felt it was time to retire. At the suggestion of a real estate agent friend, the Moore’s came to Green Valley to “look it over.” They liked what they saw, had a home built. They were both avid golfers, and belonged to the Desert Hills Golf Club, and the Country Club of Green Valley. Jean and her husband were also members of the Arizona Opera League and helped with fund-raising. She also sang with the Valley Presbyterian Church choir. 

Lois Weinert is a free-lance writer who lives in Green Valley, and wrote most of this story of Jean's life.

Jean is survived by her three children: Greg (Linda) Gordon, Cynthia (John) Muller, and Amy Clark; eight grandchildren: Frederic (Kayte) Muller, Alexandra Clark, Katherine Muller, Emily (Josh) Pierson, Phillip (Nicole) Gordon, Kevin (Brooke) Gordon, Genevieve (Ash) Mansour, and Matthew (Kristin) Reens; 17 great-grandchildren; and several extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jack Gordon and David Moore; and her brother, Dan Hiaeshutter.

A Private Celebration of Life for Jean will be held on her birthday. Interment will be at Deepdale Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Love in Action of the Tri-Cities.  https://loveinactiontricities.org/

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