Dorothea M. Driskell

Dorothea Driskell Mt. Lebanon Dorothea May "Doris" (Beutel) Driskell, 94, of Mt. Lebanon, died Friday, July 20, 2012. She was the beloved and devoted wife for nearly 75 years of Leslie R. Driskell, who passed away due to natural causes. She and Leslie met while she was still an infant in their hometown of Louisville, Ky., and married in August of 1937. Doris retained her soft Southern accent, seeing no reason not to, long after coming to Pittsburgh in 1947 and enjoyed the family springtime tradition of watching the Kentucky Derby and hearing "My Old Kentucky Home" with a mint julep in hand. She was an active member of the music and drama department of the Mt. Lebanon Woman's Club for some 30 years. A florist's daughter and librarian's sister, she took pride in her gardening and was an avid reader and movie fan for more than 80 years-first as a terrified child hiding under the theater seat during the silent version of Phantom of the Opera, and later enjoying hundreds of movies (especially those of Jimmy Stewart and Joel McCrea) in the comfort of her living room. Doris was the loving mother of Sharon L. Oddi, of Niantic, Conn., Daniel D. Driskell, of Mt. Lebanon, and the late Doris Carol Driskell, of Louisville, Ky.; grandmother of five, Mark Oddi, of Merritt Island, Fla., Bonnie (Speziali), Brian, Sheila and the late John Oddi, all of Niantic, Conn.; and great-grandmother of two, Albert Speziali and Jessica Oddi. Doris was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Thelma Beutel Chandler; and is survived by her nephew, Charles Chandler, of Louisville. The family extends special thanks to all the caregivers who tended to Doris' every need over the past several years, day and night, as if she were their own mother. "In this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." -Mary Chase, Harvey. Friends will be welcomed from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Bernard Church.