Doris Otelia Lovell

On Monday, February 8, 2016 of Bowie, MD passed on peacefully at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Wife of the late James “Si” Lovell (1989), mother of James Cary (Linda), David Kirk (Connie), Kris Michael (Kim); grandmother of James “Jay” William (Kalsoom) and Bradley James. A native of Duquesne, PA she was the youngest of eight children (5 boys and 3 girls). Her Parents, Andrew and Anna Hedberg emigrated from Sweden at a very young age. Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Augustana Synod, her family was always active in the life of the Church, especially the music ministry. Doris and her siblings were the core of the choir covering soprano to bass with one brother as the choir director. She graduated from West Penn Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and became an RN in 1947. Doris met Si during her second year of training and married on New Year’s Eve in 1947. She had two sons in 1949, 1950 and as a young military wife took care of them at home in Duquesne while Si was in Korea. Moving frequently, they were stationed at Ft. Detrick, MD; Ft. Bragg, NC; Dugway Proving Ground, UT, where she lost a son in childbirth in 1956; Ft. McClellan, AL, where her last son was born in 1959; and Ft. Meade, MD, where they retired in 1964 after 23 years served. Moving to Bowie in 1963, Doris spent the duration of her full and spirited life amongst family, friends, and her wonderful neighbors on Tapered Lane for 50+ years. For the past 3 years she made great friendships with the staff and residents at Brookdale Senior Living in Bowie.

Doris was a steadfast and loyal member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring since 1983 active in many areas of ministry including Sunday School, Day Camps, and particularly music as a staunch choir member. She was also formerly of the Laurel Oratorio Society. As of late, her fellowship had been limited to pastoral visitations and the outreach of the Church’s Stephen Ministry of which she was eternally grateful.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 with visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am, followed by a small reception. A private interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.