Obituary of Doris Whipple

Doris J. Fuhrman Whipple, age 88, of Millcreek Twp., passed away Friday, January 2, 2015. She was born in Erie on August 7, 1926 the daughter of the late Ethan E. and Alice E. Edwards Fuhrman. Doris was the granddaughter of the late Charles and Kathryn Fuhrman, who founded Fuhrman's Cider Mill in Belle Valley in September 1896. Her father eventually inherited the cider mill as a young man and continued its operation for many years. Her interest always remained keen on the history of the mill, and consequently in 1996, she published a cookbook entitled, 'Cider, A Nectar for all Seasons'. She attended grade school in Belle Valley and then graduated from Millcreek High School. She met and later married her late husband, Frank (Stubbie) Whipple in July 1947. Stub was the love of her life. Daughter, Christine arrived on the scene on their 3rd wedding anniversary and son, Tim in 1957. Doris was a very talented woman. In her early years of marriage, she taught ceramic classes and later designed and sold wedding and birth plates. Her talents didn't stop there; a beautiful seamstress, interior decorator, theorem and watercolor painter, gardener, birder, designed the display windows for her daughter's art gallery @ the Colony Plaza from 1974-1981. She kiddingly referred to herself as a professional cooking class student; attending classes in Ft. Lauderdale and Jupiter, FL and Tucson, AZ. She was quite the entertainer, whether hosting parties at her home or at the Kahkwa Club. Aside from her talents, she was also an avid golfer and was part of the nine hole league at Kahkwa Country Club. Travel was always on her itinerary. She and her husband traveled extensively across this country and beyond the shores to Hawaii, Greece, and the Caribbean. However, Sunday drives around the area were always a must. Her greatest joys in life were her children and three grandchildren. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Frank of 64 years and her sister, Mary Howell of Erie. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Montgomery of Millcreek, one son, Timothy and his wife Mary of Erie, three grandchildren: Stephanie, Timothy, and Steve, two sisters; Lois Gouldsmith and Helen Crissman, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service there at 1:00 p.m. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3642 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506