Obituary of Doris C. Cary

Doris C. Cary Beloved Mother and Wife, Gardener Extraordinaire, Enjoyed Collecting and Reading, Made Every Home Special Age 93, of Elmira, on November 2, 2017 was called to more glorious gardens needing her attention. Born on August 5, 1924 and raised in Elmira, Doris fondly spoke of memories growing up on Kingsbury Avenue, later near the Elmira Reformatory where her father served as a supervisor of guards, and summers spent at Keuka Lake. Doris met her best friend and future husband, Ronald (Ron or Ronnie), during their school days together. Classmates, they both graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1942. After WWII, Doris and Ronnie began dating and they were married on July 15, 1950. They celebrated their very special 50th wedding anniversary with family in New Orleans in 2000 and July 15, 2017 would have marked their 67th wedding anniversary. Ron and Doris for many, many years were involved with classmates that organized reunions of the Elmira Free Academy class of 1942. Doris graduated from the Elmira Business Institute and worked for a time at Thatcher. She enjoyed cards, the Finger Lakes, history, and she loved words, as she was a voracious reader, enjoyed Scrabble, and relished crossword puzzles and word-find games. She possessed a wry sense of humor and was always calm and cool. Homes and gardens on Meadowlark Road in Horseheads and Church Street in Elmira were meticulous, and Doris made every holiday special, decorating the homes in a festive manner. She was a fantastic cook and holiday dinners were especially memorable. But just as memorable were some of her creative family meal concoctions, such as Tuna-Noodle-Scroodle-Poodle. She volunteered for a time for the Chemung County Historical Society and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. Doris was an avid collector of many things … antique post cards, dolls, Santas and paper dolls. Dolly Dingle was a favorite. Doris and Ron shared a love and passion for gardening for nearly 60 years at homes in Horseheads, and later, when they returned to Elmira. The yards and grounds of their homes were filled with beautiful terraced gardens, rock gardens, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on December 8, 2017 for visitation from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, followed by services at 2:30 pm. Doris will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira on Saturday, December 9. Doris is survived by her son, Peter C. Cary of West Trenton, New Jersey, and daughter Susan Cary Channell of Kentucky, as well as four grandchildren and six great grandchildren; her sister and brother-in-law, Joan (Chamberlain) and Robert Kline, of Trophy Club, Texas; her sister-in-law, Ann Marie Chamberlain of Delray Beach, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald V. Cary; her parents, Harold Chauncey and Ethel Huey Chamberlain; sisters Mary Ellen Chamberlain and Bernice (Chamberlain) Hanrahan, and brother, John (Johnny) Chamberlain. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Doris can make donations in her name to The Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, 2435 State Rt. 352, Elmira, New York 14903-7933.