Doris B. Dow

1929 - 2016

Lyme - Doris B. Dow, 86, passed away on Jan. 25, 2016, after enduring many years of suffering from diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Her carefree and happy spirit is now free from her crippled body and disordered mind as she joins her husband, Charles F. Dow Jr., her son, Charles F. Dow III, and her son-in-law, Steven Gregory in heaven.

Doris was born on Sept. 20, 1929, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to Frank and Sophie (Makar) Herring, where she was raised, graduated high school and worked for the telephone company, until she married a handsome fellow classmate and submariner named Charlie on Dec. 26, 1953. From that day on, she followed her husband from Virginia to Massachusetts until they landed in Lyme. There they built a lovely home, became involved in the community, and raised three beloved children.

Many friends will fondly remember Doris at the Old Lyme Pharmacy. If you were sick, she was concerned, kind and made you feel better. If you were nervous, she smiled and put you at ease. If you weren't nice, she cracked a joke (usually at your expense) and made you laugh. Doris loved to sing and dance and could imitate the perfect "wicked witch cackle."

Doris retired from the pharmacy to take care of her cherished grandchildren (and many times, their friends as well), volunteer at their school, and attend EVERY sporting event, concert, and activity that her grandkids were involved in! Doris was also an active member of the Lyme Fire Company Auxiliary.

Doris leaves behind her son, Kevin Dow and his wife, Susan; her daughter, Shelley Gregory; her granddaughters, Meredith Dow, Olivia Dow and her partner, Anthony Altman; her beautiful great-granddaughter, Jovi Christine, (who Doris never met, but we know she will watch over her always); their mother, Jeannie Dow; and her grandsons, Sawyer and Slater Gregory.

Doris' family want to sincerely thank the nurses and staff of Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, Maine. These "angels on earth" lovingly cared for Doris for the last three years and devoted so much of themselves to her comfort, happiness, safety and health. There are no words to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect.

A Memorial Mass is planned for at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, with a reception celebrating and remembering Doris' life in the parish hall afterwards. Burial in the spring will be at Eight Mile River Cemetery in Lyme and will be private.

If you wish to honor Doris, please be kind, smile a lot, sing, dance, make funny faces, laugh, and most importantly, pray to God.

"… If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all my prejudice against my fellowman. Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If by chance you wish to remember me, do it with a kind word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever." Robert N. Test