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Doreen Gaines Obituary
AGE: 75 • Wilmington
Doreen Stearrett Gaines, 75 of Wilmington, DE peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in the Seasons Hospice Unit at Christiana Hospital.
Doreen was born in Wilmington on January 21, 1939, daughter of the late Paul and Gertrude Petterson Stearrett. A graduate of Wilmington High School, class of 1956, she met her husband, Jimmy, on a train to New York City during a DuPont Company weekend excursion in 1957, and they married in June of 1959. She was employed with DuPont for more than 35 years and retired in 1991. Following her retirement, she worked part time as a clerk in the environmental services division at Christiana Hospital for one year.
Doreen and Jimmy were 45 year members of the Wilmington Turners Club, where they met many lifelong friends and participated in the Friday evening bowling league. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 28, where they enjoyed weekend socializing and dancing. Doreen loved spending time at her summer home in Pot Nets Bay Side and enjoyed boating and flounder fishing in the Indian River Bay. With Jimmy, she became an avid Phillies fan. Throughout her life, she loved and cherished her many pets: her cats, Rusty and Dusty; and her dogs, Sophie, Boots, Alfie, Peggy, Penny and most recently, Pepper.
She was predeceased by her six brothers, Paul Jr., Francis, John, William, Allan and Gene Stearrett.
Doreen will be lovingly remembered by her husband of nearly 55 years, James A. Gaines. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Sally, Kay and Pat Stearrett, and Suzanne Gaines; her nieces and nephews; and her caring friends, Lois Calloway and Julie O'Toole, who were members of her wedding party.
Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Wednesday, April 23 from 12:00-1:30PM. Funeral services will begin at 1:30PM, followed by interment in Silverbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720; the Diabetes Association, 100 W. 10th St., #1002, Wilm., DE 19801; or Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilm., DE 19804.
To offer condolences, visit
www.dohertyfh.com
302-999-8277
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Doreen Gaines
Debbie Quinn
April 28, 2014
I worked at Centre Road for 12 years. Long before I knew Doreen by name, I knew her by her smile. May her 'bright light' be of comfort at this time.
rita price
April 23, 2014
Jim so sorry to hear about Doreen. Sonia Napolski called me from Lewes and I'm so glad she did. I will see you Wednesday and keep you in my prayers.
Joyce & Roy Faville
April 22, 2014
Jimmy, so sorry to hear of Doreen's passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Suzanne Neikirk
April 22, 2014
Jimmy:
Doreen & I go all the way back to Patent Division on Vandever Avenue which was an "old bowling alley!"
Loved her & the descriptions of her brothers. God brought her to my mind just last week. You & Doreen introduced us to Pot Nets and I think we may have bought a place that same weekend. My sincere sympathy because I know the path you are walking right now. Will be praying for you.
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Carl V. Thomas
April 22, 2014
Sincere sympathy to my old Army Reserve friend, the best Jim at this difficult time, hopefully we bump into each other again,
Lloyd L. Thoms Jr.
April 22, 2014
Sincere sympathy and condolence to the family, friends and acquaintances from a retired Duponter.
April 22, 2014
JIMMY, I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I REMEMBER YOU AND DOREEN SO WELL THROUGH MY MOTHER AND FATHER IN LAW SOPHIE AND WALTER NAPOLSKI. YOUR ACROSS THE STREET NEIGHBORS. WHO HAVE BOTH PASSED ON.
WE ALSO HAVE A MUTUAL FRIEND THROUGH DU PONT...RITA PRICE.
AGAIN I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, SONIA-MARIE, NAPOSKI-CORLE
Susan and John Schweitzer
April 21, 2014
Jim, it was an honor and a pleasure meeting and getting to know both you and Doreen. Some of our fondest times at Pot Nets were those "porch" afternoons with you both. All our best at this difficult time. Love, Sue, John and Kellie.
Pat (Swarter) Lehane
April 21, 2014
Jim - so sorry for the loss of Doreen. I knew her from Wilmington High School and then DuPont. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Robert Downes
April 20, 2014
Jim,
So sorry for your loss of Doreen. We go back many years starting at George Gray grade school, and later at duPont Chestnut Run/Centre Road, where Doreen was employed. God Bless you and your family!
Bob Downes
Mary Ann Cloud Moxon
April 20, 2014
Having just reconnected with the Stearrett Family, I had hoped to see Doreen again. We last met as children. My sincere condolences to her husband James and the rest of the family. Genealogy is keeping us together in a small, but meaningful, way.
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Funeral services provided by:
Doherty Funeral Homes, Inc. - Pike Creek3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
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