1 Photo
Doris Fanning
Doris Fanning, of Bluffton, South Carolina, and formerly of Hampton Bays, died peacefully at home on August 16, with her children and grandchildren by her side, one day after her 88th birthday.
She was born in Bielefeld, Germany, on August 15, 1937, to William and Frieda (nee Koch) Nuessen amid the Nazi regime leading to World War II. In 1951, at the age of 14, she, together with her parents and sister Helma, immigrated and settled in Southampton, where she met Gerald Fanning,. They married and had four children together.
While raising her children, the pioneer she was, she embarked on obtaining her real estate broker license in 1970, later forming Bay Timber Real Estate in Hampton Bays. She was an active member of the Eastern Long Island Board of Real Estate (ESBOR) and earned vice president of the acclaimed board.
She was an independent woman. She held a strong belief in instilling independence through common sense, and taught her children to feel the same and to embrace life.
She is survived by her children, William Fanning (Yvonne), Deborah Fanning, Geraldine Fanning and Kathleen Hileman (Harold); as well as seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring.
Staff Writer on Sep 12, 2025