Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Doerer

Mary Elizabeth (Bibbs) Doerer, an avid reader with a great life story of her own, closed her chapter in this world Sunday morning, April 19th, 2020 in Satellite Beach, Florida. In the true never-ending love story genre that she was so fond of, her story ended with her husband of nearly sixty-six years, Richard, holding her hand while they listened to her six children’s voices and families sending their love and praying with her before she peacefully closed her eyes.

 

Her story began when she was welcomed into the world on October 8, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland, by her parents, William E. and Mary Rose Crosby. She was the eldest of four children [Burke(deceased), Joe and Carolyn] and graduated from The Institute of Notre Dame High School. Her talent for singing was showcased in her College Glee Club at Notre Dame of Maryland and her melodic and beautiful voice was a treasure to everyone that sat near her in church or when her favorite song played throughout her life.

 

Love and adventure entered her life when she married Richard Cyril Doerer, June 5^th, 1954. They began their Army adventures and created a family with a cast of six children (Maureen, Craig, Pam, John Tracy, Bobby and Kathy) during their assignments to Fort Meade, MD (1954-1955; 1958-1962); Fort Devens, MA (1955-1956); Kenai, Alaska (1956-1958); Saigon, Vietnam (1962-1963); Arlington Hall, VA (1963-1966; 1968-1969; 1973-1974); Asmara, Ethiopia (1966-1968); Homestead AFB, FL (1969-1971); and Bangkok, Thailand (1971-1973) until retiring to Satellite Beach, FL in 1974. 

 

She had many leading roles including Daughter, Sister, Wife, Sister-in-law, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Army Spouse and Friend, each with a unique cast of characters who called her Mary, Bibbs, Mom, Mimi and Hon (short for Honey in Baltimore), just to name a few. These roles also involved her love of bowling, knitting/crocheting, painting, reading, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, daily crossword puzzles, daily Dr Mario Nintendo game, watching her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events or joining her friends for breakfast at the diner, which was her favorite social hour. It was her talent in mastering games and puzzles that showcased her personality and intellect and gave us the moral to her story which is that with patience, perseverance and a desire to find a solution, the pieces will fit and the puzzle to life’s problems can be solved.

 

Her faith in God and the power of praying the rosary was a constant theme. It played an important role in defining who she was, what decisions she made and guided her through the good parts and the rough parts of her story. 

 

Her story continues in the memories she made with all of us and her legacy will live on through her surviving family including her husband, LTC (R) Richard Cyril Doerer, U.S. Army; her siblings, Joe Crosby, Carolyn Crosby Farrell (Eddie); her six children, Maureen O'Sullivan (John), Craig Doerer (Shannon), Pam Doerer, John Tracy Doerer (Tami), Bobby Doerer (Tammy), Kathy Myers (Tom); her fourteen grandchildren, Ryan Wells (Samantha), Bryanna Lauer (Jacob), Sean O'Sullivan (Kimberly), Kyle Wells, Kevin O'Sullivan (Jacqlyne), Joseph Doerer, Katie Smith (Chris), Benjamin Doerer, Camden Doerer, Emily Myers, John Tracy Doerer, Casey Doerer, Thomas Myers, and Madelyn Myers; and nine great-grandchildren, Bryn, Kylie, Dayton, Colin, Judah, Dakota, Heulyn, Caroline and Isabella; and numerous loving nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

 

“IT IS WHAT IT IS.”

This was her personal mantra, and oft-heard sage advice for her family and friends. It was her way of saying: confront what’s coming, seek Christ-driven solutions (Put it in God’s hands...”), and embrace this trial.  The apostle James – St. James – directed us in a letter to the early churches that we should “consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

 

A private service and burial with immediate family was held on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, Florida. We will be planning a Celebration of Life for Bibbs when the conditions allow for larger in person gatherings.

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Doerer, please visit Tribute Store