Doris B. Waters

Doris Buck Waters died Monday, March 10, 2008 at her home in Fredericksburg after a brief fight with cancer. Mrs. Waters moved to Fredericksburg in 2003, after traveling widely throughout her life. Born on July 28, 1931 in Pottstown, PA, she graduated from Pottstown Senior High School in 1949 and went on to receive a diploma from Bryn Mawr Nursing School in 1952. On June 6, 1953 she married her high school sweetheart and embarked on serving as an army officer's wife, while also rearing her two children. As an army wife, she became accustomed to frequently packing up a household and transporting it to another location about every two years, twice at posts abroad. She worked periodically as a nurse during this time and soon discovered her love of working in the hospital operating room. In 1975 she took her first position as an operating room head nurse in El Paso, TX. Soon thereafter, in 1975, she settled on her own in Woodbridge, VA where she joined the staff of Potomac Hospital as the operating room and recovery room supervisor. While in this position, she took the cause of common employee to the board of trustees of the hospital. Mrs. Waters served as a trustee member for 17 years. Also during this time, she was active in the national organization, The Association of Operating Room Nurses and served on its national board and often attended the yearly national conventions. She retired from Potomac Hospital in 1995 and served for approximately 13 years in the hospital auxiliary and one year as the auxiliary president. Also during this time, she was active in the Rippon Landing Home Owners Association and served in various positions, including its Board of Directors for 8 years. While living in Fredericksburg, Mrs. Waters was active at her local community center where she frequently played her beloved bridge and often attended social functions. She continued to enjoy lunch and outings with old friends from Woodbridge and new friends from the seniors' community where she lived. Survivors include her daughter, Beth Ann Waters of Fredericksburg; her son, Douglas Gordon Waters, Jr., of Davidsonville, MD; a grandson, Douglas Gordon Waters, III of Annapolis, MD; granddaughter, Julia Brink Waters of Davidsonville, MD; sister, Gladys Boyer of Pottstown, PA; brother, Bruce Buck of Meshoppen, PA. She also anticipated the birth of her great-grandson, Douglas Gordon Waters, IV due in June 2008. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, VA. Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.

This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).