Doris M. LINDLER

WILLIAMSBURG - Doris was born on Oct. 10, 1921, in Manchester, England, and died Feb. 9, 2012, in Hospice House of Williamsburg, Va.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William (Bill) C. Lindler in 1989; her parents, Robert Hugo McKewan and Jessie Leary McKewan; and by her brother, Ronnie, who died in the flu epidemic of 1919, before she was born.
Doris grew up in Manchester surrounded by an extended family that was very close. She was active in Girl Guides and was an avid ballroom dancer. At the beginning of WWII, she worked for the Admiralty and also helped her parents in their hotel and pub, where she met Bill who was in the Air Force and stationed in England. They married on Aug. 27, 1945 and the bells in the church were rung for the first peaceful reason since the beginning of the war. During the war, the bells were used as an air raid warning only.
During their marriage they were stationed in many places. Their stay in Germany, in the early 1950's, had Doris working for the OSI where she used her skills in several languages to great benefit. Following a stay in Texas, where she became involved in Girls Scouts, they were stationed in England. Doris loved being in her homeland and enjoyed having her daughters experience England and meet the extended family. In England, she was very active in Girl Scouts and went to several international conferences while being a Brownie Leader.
Doris and Bill settled in Williamsburg in 1964. Doris was a founding member of the Kingspoint Garden Club and the Kingspoint Woman's Club. She was active in the garden club until she was no longer able to get out. She loved flowers and gardening and she and Bill spent many hours working in their yard.
Doris stayed active in Girl Scouts until the 1970's, when all her "charges" had graduated from the senior program, many as First Class scouts.
She loved to play bridge and played regularly until last December. Her Thursday Bridge Ladies helped celebrate her 90th birthday at a party in October and a good time was had by all.
During her life, Doris remained fiercely independent and maintained the "British stiff upper lip" staying in her home until the week prior to her death.
She is survived by her daughters, Megan McKewan, Elizabeth (Betty) Gilbert; her son-in-law, Rick Lewis; her grandson, Dylan Gilbert; and her faithful Maltese, Max.
Doris was a parishioner at Bruton Parish Church for over 45 years and a member of the Altar Guild for many years. Doris knitted and crocheted afghans for the Heritage Humane Society fundraisers until the end of her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, in her name.
A service will be held at 11a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Bruton Parish Church. Interment will follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net
A reception will follow after the interment at the family's home, 102 Fern Court, Williamsburg, VA 23185. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.