Doris Jean Dolby, 82, of Strattanville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at her home surrounded by loved ones, after a long courageous battle with breast cancer.
She was born on July 15, 1934 at home in Salem Township, Clarion County; daughter of the late Gerald and Geraldine McCleary Barris.
In 1952, she graduated salutatorian of Salem Township High School in Lamartine, PA, which was the last class before the high school closed. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Clarion to work as a bell hop at Johnny Garneau’s restaurant and G.C.
Murphy’s before starting work at Owen-Illinois Glass Plant. She retired in 1997 after working there for 41 years.
Doris spent her retirement years as a volunteer for the American Red Cross and Clarion Hospital gift shop. She thoroughly enjoyed knitting and crocheting and had been told how talented she was. Friends had told her that “she could fill a warehouse with all the things she had made over the years.” Her family was more precious to her than all the riches and jewels in the world.
She was a member of the St. Marks United Church of Christ in Monroe.
Doris is survived by her two daughters, Brenda Wassum and her husband, Roger of Salisbury, NC, and Karen Girt and her husband Rodney of Clarion, a son, Ronald Reed of New Castle, CO, and a stepson, Gene Dolby and his wife Ann of Limestone, her grandchildren, Jeremy Girt and his wife Brandy of Strattanville, Corey Girt and his wife Jamie of Lewistown, Mindy Wallace and her husband Aaron of Roanoke, VA, Brad Wassum of Salisbury, NC, Jack Doucette of Boston, MA, Chad Dolby of Fredericksburg, VA, Becky Ferringer and her husband Joe of Callensburg, and Joshua Dolby and his wife Shasha of Limestone, her great grandchildren, Ali and Adylin Girt of Stattanville, Logan, Lincoln, and Lawson Girt of Summerville, Adam Winters, Rachel Sharrar, Kyli Winters, Bly Dolby, Claire Dolby, Zoe Albright, and Sydney Bender, and her four great-great grandchildren.
She is also survived by a brother, Willis Barris and his wife Jean, three sisters, Marie Altman and her husband Darl, Janet Aaron, and Linda Smith and her husband Daniel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Doris Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Doucette and a sister, Leona Brown.
Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion and also from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Funeral Home where services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Randy Evans, Clarion Forest VNA Hospice Chaplin, pastor presiding.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clarion Cancer Center, 150 Doctor’s Lane, Clarion, PA 16214.
Online condolences may be sent here.
