Doris W. Stickler (89), a resident of Wellesley, Massachusetts for over 50 years, died peacefully at home on January 25, 2024 with family by her side. Doris was a woman of great kindness, faith, humility, generosity and compassion. She was devoted to her family, loyal to her many friends and always thinking of others. She had a gentle spirit and an easy laugh. Doris’ positive attitude and good humor was ever present and infectious.
Doris was born on February 25, 1934 to Margaret and James Cole on a farm in Tandragee, Northern Ireland where she was the youngest of eight siblings. She excelled academically and received her medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics) from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1957. She specialized in anesthesiology and after working briefly in both Northern Ireland and South Africa, emigrated to the United States in 1968 to work at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She got the job by sending a handwritten letter to the head of the anesthesia department. During her more than thirty-five year career, Doris provided care to patients at many hospitals in the Boston area including the New England Baptist Hospital and the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital.
Although Doris was a pioneer as a female doctor in the 1960s and 1970s, her greatest joy came from her family and faith. Doris married John Stickler in 1968 and they raised their three girls in Wellesley, MA. She instilled a love of nature in her children through their walks in the forest and fields behind the house. Doris was a constant cheerleader for her daughters and grandchildren and an unwavering source of support for her entire family. She was infinitely generous with her time and love. Doris invariably ended conversations with her children with the words “I love you and your whole family.”
Doris and John enjoyed traveling to exotic locales including Kenya, Australia, India and Russia but Doris was happiest when surrounded by family during vacations, holiday gatherings and special trips to see her daughters and their families in Western Massachusetts, Vermont and China. She also loved to keep in touch with family and friends in Northern Ireland and hear the latest local news.
For Doris, faith was an essential part of her life. She attended church services regularly, taught Sunday school, attended bible study classes and volunteered at Stephen Ministries, providing spiritual counsel to those in need. She always had words of comfort to share.
Doris leaves her devoted husband John Stickler, 98, her cherished daughters, Catherine Kuo, Jane Marlin and Susan Molano (along with their husbands Ben, Jeff and Wilson) and eight adored grandchildren, Brianna, Julia, Christopher, Benjamin, Grace, Elliot, Sarah and Jaelynn. She will be deeply missed by all.
Doris was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Margaret and James Cole; her sister, Joice; her brother, Isaac; her sister, Beatrice; her brother, Leslie; her brother, Lowry; her brother, Raymond and her sister, Myrtle.
Doris’ family would like to thank her caregivers over the last few years who made it possible to care for her at home. A special thanks to Bianca Siqueira, Flavia Casotti and Adriana Martins for their love and dedication.
A private memorial service is planned.