Doris Stroh Lohr – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
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Doris Stroh Lohr was 88 years old when she passed peacefully in her sleep to rejoin her husband and parents, whom she treasured dearly. She was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her fight with dementia was long and hard, but she was brave, strong, and exceptionally resilient.

Doris was born in Neu-Isenburg, Germany on September 22, 1930 and was the only child of Johann and Alice (Flechsenhaar) Stroh. She was raised in the Lutheran Church and even as her illness progressed she would recall the Bible verses and songs she learned as a young child. Doris was only nine years old at the start of World War II and her youth was drastically shaped by her experiences. She had countless stories of the war, both terrible and inspiring. Perhaps her best and happiest story was that of falling in love with a handsome, blonde, American soldier stationed near her hometown—Arthur Lohr. They married in Germany in 1953. Later that year the couple moved to Arthur’s hometown of Oakland, Maryland when his enlistment ended. It was such a change for Doris—a European city girl moving to a farm in rural Maryland. She loved it though. Arthur came from a large, welcoming family and for the first time in her life Doris had sisters. Although she was always proud of her German heritage, Doris was also especially proud to her earn United States citizenship and became a lifelong student of American history. In early 1954 the couple welcomed their first child, Diana Susan Lohr. The family of three spent time in both Maryland and Ohio before Arthur re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1956. His service took them to Germany, Massachusetts, and Maine where their second child John William Lohr was born in 1964. From there they moved to Florida, back to Massachusetts, and finally to Florida once more. The white sandy beaches and emerald waters of Ft. Walton Beach had always felt like home in their hearts and Arthur retired there in 1976. In 1982 Arthur and Doris became grandparents and are survived by their five grandchildren—Sarah Elizabeth Perrin, Brian Thomas Perrin, David Martin Perrin, Benjamin Arthur Perrin, and Christopher William Lohr. They lived many happy years in Florida as “Grandma Doris and Papa” before Arthur passed away from cancer in 1998. In 2000 Grandma Doris moved to Huntsville, Alabama to be with Diana’s family. She lived with them for fourteen years before her dementia required more expert care. In that time there were struggles, but also many happy occasions. She enjoyed the hustle and bustle of life in a big family—Friday night pizza, school events, sports, plays, holidays, and vacations. She was able to experience so many new things. She traveled with the family to New York City (and saw her first Broadway show), West Point, Disney World, Washington D.C., and even Hawaii. In 2014 Grandma Doris moved into assisted living and progressed through the levels of care before finally requiring skilled nursing. Even so, she was never alone. She attended family events whenever it was possible, and when it wasn’t the family came to her. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Doris is also survived by her four great grandchildren—Ayyub Turan Perrin, Hugo Thomas Perrin, Charlotte Lynn Perrin, and Liam Lohr. Their visits would always brighten her day. For those that lived locally it’s hard to say who enjoyed the monthly family pizza and cupcake parties more. Grandma Doris was adventurous, generous, loyal, smart, funny, and always one to tell you exactly what was on her mind. Throughout her life she was an exceptional homemaker, cook, and baker. Her Christmas cookies were amazing. She was also an excellent crafter and could both knit and crochet. She loved to make hats, scarves, and afghans for her family. Grandma Doris loved animals, her flower garden, and music—especially classical, country, and of course, German. She loved shopping. She even loved NASCAR. Doris lived a full life and will be greatly missed by those she left behind.

Her life will be celebrated on March 16, 2019 at Berryhill Funeral Home. Friends will be received at 2 p.m. and there will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. led by Pastor Joe Steele of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Interment will take place in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Oakland, Maryland.

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