Doris M. Appleby

On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Doris M. Appleby (nee Smith) passed peacefully surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late William “Bill” Appleby and companion of the late Joseph Sachs; loving mother of Mike Appleby (Susan T.) (the late Sharon), Susan C. Appleby “Sue”, Diane M. Schmitt (Bob), Mark Appleby (Laura), Gail A. Reynolds (Rocky), Janet C. Groncki “Gigi”, Doug Appleby (Vicki) and Jimmy Atkin; cherished grandmother of Michele (Eric), Jenifer, Tina (Ryan), the late Michael, Nicole (Jeremy), Ava, Chloe, David (Erin), the late Rocky, Jr. (living wife Kerri), Tiffany (Brian), Clayton (Amber), Chrissy (Sam), James “Jamie”(Lena), and Jacob; treasured great grandmother of Becky, Savannah, Cody, Wyatt, Hayley, Natalie, Nora, Brooklyn, Daisy, Christian, Brooklyn, Sydney, Camden, Aubrey, Autumn, Bree, Ryleigh, Avery “Rosie”, Sophia, Izzy, Jonas, Aidan and Logan; darling great-great grandmother of Amarillo and Harley. Doris is also survived by her dear niece Virginia, cousins Pamela “Pam” and Shirley, invaluable friends Winnie and Punch Roach, Patty Sachs, her caretakers Theresa and Kelly and many others that loved her dearly.

Relative and friends are invited to gather at the Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home Inc., 3631 Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 12:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1008 W. 37th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. Interment to follow at Druid Ridge Cemetery, 7900 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21208

In lieu of flowers donations in Doris’ memory may be made to one of her favorite charities; St. Jude Children’s Hospital, His Mansion Ministries, Special Olympics Maryland or any charity of your choice.

Doris' Funeral Mass Eulogy

I can remember as a child mom belonging to a lady's club that called themselves the Polygons. They met at our house on Weldon Circle. One of their projects was to visit the children at the St. Elizabeth orphanage on 39th Street. In addition to visiting, they would also send the children birthday cards and buy them presents for Christmas.

In order to raise money for their cause, mom would set up our house to hold bingo nights, and they invited family, friends and neighbors. They also made and sold light fare, drinks and deserts. Can you imagine a packed house of family friends and neighbors!

That was mom, and how she lived her life, opening our home and caring about others.

Mom was married to my father, Bill, until his death in 1987. She was a housewife with 7 children, and that alone kept her busy with cooking, laundry and cleaning the house. Of course, as we got older, we all had chores and helped mom. Being busy didn’t keep her from doing the things she loved.

After Doug, the youngest was old enough, mom went to work for Giant Food, opening the store at the rotunda, where she worked until her retirement. In 1992, mom and Joe Sach became companions and volunteered together for MS bowling and swimming programs. She was a grandmother (Gram, Mudder), Great-grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother.

Mom loved flowers and gardening. She tended her house plants and in the warm months, moved them outside to the porch, where she loved to sit and talk to neighbors' friends and others that passed by. She always had a smile!

Mom also loved to spend time gardening in her yard. That wasn’t enough of a yard so she expanded to the circle to garden around the monument.

In 2007, the Medfield community association reached out to Mary Pat Clark from the city council and together presented mom with a dedication of Appleby Way on Weldon Circle.

Several years later a tree was planted and dedicated to her.

Mom loved her faith; she raised all 7 of us catholic. At Saint Thomas Aquinas. She would ride the bus downtown to the St Jude shrine to pray while we were in school. We always went to Mass together on Sundays.

Mom didn't just have 7 children, oh no, she opened her heart and was mom to so many others.

Of course, there was wine night! Winnie & Punchy, Eileen & Dave, Stevie and many others would come by to visit and share love, stories and of course wine. Mom loved wine nights!!

That was mom, Happy, smiling, inviting, loving and faithful.

Though she may be gone from this life she is still here in spirit in all of those whose lives she touched.

I love you mom, until we meet again, May God bless and protect your soul!