Doris E. Berchtold

Doris E. Berchtold of Marshfield passed away on January 5, 2026 at the age of 95. Beloved wife of the late William F. Berchtold, she was the devoted mother of Gerard W. Berchtold and his wife Debbie, Elaine Basiliere and her husband Mark, Judith Kelly, Paul F. Berchtold and his wife Tricia, and the late William J. Berchtold, and mother-in-law of Evelyn Berchtold. Doris was the cherished grandmother of Elijah, Jonathan, Ashley, Emily, Daniel, Sarah, Amanda, Paul, Brett, and Cole and adored by 7 great-grandchildren as well. Daughter of the late William and Mary (Wrenn) Lynch, she is also predeceased by her siblings, Robert Lynch, Rosie DeCoux, Barbara McKenna, William Lynch, and Patricia Lynch.

Doris grew up in the Mission Hill section of Roxbury in a large family that valued humor, music, family and all things Irish. She lived directly across the street from the Mission Hill Grammar School and convent. She often had her kids in stitches with stories of the nuns and their interactions with her and her five siblings as they grew up.

As a young teenager, Doris was a volunteer Candy Striper at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. Anyone who knew Doris in later years would not be surprised by this as she had a life-long desire to help others.

After graduating from Mission High, Doris got a full-time job first at Charger Plate then at Blue Cross Blue shield in Boston. On any given Saturday night, you could find Doris and her friends at the Irish dances at Hiberian Hall in Roxbury. That is where she met her future husband and partner of forty-five years, Bill Berchtold. They were both great savers which enabled them to purchase their first home in South Weymouth just prior to their wedding, something they were both very proud of. Together, they had five beautiful children who would become the center of Doris' life. A neighbor recently described her as a role model for all mothers, a sentiment each of her children would wholeheartedly agree upon. She dedicated her life to being a good wife and an even better mother. Once the grandkids came, Doris was in her full glory. When she lost Bill in 1998, far too young, she filled the void with those children. Sleep-overs at Nana's house were legendary.

Doris became a frequent visitor to the Senior Center in Marshfield and made many new and wonderful friends there. She became a member of the Purple Hat Club and could often be found in the coffee shop at the senior center with her gang of girls. Doris commented to her daughter once that she never had as many friends as she did in her 70s through the Senior Center. She also joined a walking club at the center and took exercise classes there twice a week, keeping very active.

Doris was a devout Catholic and member of Our Lady of Assumption Church from the early 1970s when her and Bill moved to Marshfield. In later years, if there was a Sunday she couldn't get to church, she would watch it on TV. You could walk into her home at any given time and find her saying the rosary. Doris' faith was a guiding force throughout her life. In the last three years, Doris lived at Alliance Health in Braintree and the staff told her children that their mom prayed almost constantly, and they often asked her to pray for them! Something she gladly did. Doris was also famous for singing in the activity room and telling funny stories to anyone who would listen. She never lost her sense of humor.

Doris was a caretaker right up to her final days. Shortly before she passed, when she could barely keep her eyes open, Doris asked one of her daughters, "What can I do for you?" When the daughter responded, "Mom, you don't have to do anything for me, what can I do for YOU?" Doris answered with a beautiful smile upon her face, "absolutely nothing." Doris was a giver her entire life, never wanting her children to worry about her and that was evident right to the end. She taught her children the meaning of unconditional love in its truest form. Doris will be missed by so many, but her beautiful light and spirit will shine on through everyone she touched.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield, followed by a funeral processing to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 40 Canal Street in Marshfield, for a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Couch Cemetery, Union Street in Marshfield.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com