Doris Anita Wilhelm

Dec. 27,1917 - Oct. 2, 2012

Doris Wilhelm passed away peacefully in the afternoon of October 2, at home at Villa Marin, her husband and children at her side. She was 94.

Doris was born in Hanley, Saskatchewan, Canada to Erma Imholtz and Edward J. Finnerty, M.D. In the early 1920's they moved to Sonoma where Dr. Finnerty became the town physician. Doris, soon joined by her sister Margaret and brother Bob (both of whom predeceased her), grew up in Sonoma and attended grammar school there, where she made friends with whom she remained close throughout her life. She attended Holy Names High School in Oakland, following which she enrolled at University of California, Berkeley, where, as a sophomore she met her future husband, Robert Wilhelm from Alhambra, California. They were smitten, became a couple, and were married on May 25, 1940, the day Bob graduated from UC.

Their first home was at Fort Baker, and when Bob went overseas in the war, Doris returned to Sonoma where they lived for a time following Bob's return. In 1948 they moved to Marin County where they have lived since, except for five years in Los Angeles when Bob's position took him there.

Doris is survived by Bob, her husband of 72 years, and five children: Janet (Jim) Richman, Julianne, Katie, Jim (Kathy), and Elizabeth (Perry) Schott. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Geoff and Tim Richman, Kristin (Richman) Sherwood, Joanne and Judy Parker, Shannon and Kyle Wilhelm, Francesca and Augie Schott; and seven great grandchildren: Stella and Jack Richman, Anna and Fiona Sherwood, Sinclair, Grady, and Julianna Richman.

Doris had a zest for life, and lived it with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. She was always an active volunteer for her childrens' schools, including organizing school bazaars, and even publishing a cookbook.

At the same time she was active in civic affairs, including serving on the Recreation Commission in Sausalito and on the Marin County grand jury. After her own bout with breast cancer in the late '60s, she was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, for 25 years driving patients to their appointments and treatments. While living in southern California she assisted the young wives of foreign graduate students attending USC in adapting to life in the United States. And at Villa Marin she jumped into volunteer activities with her usual gusto.

Doris was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader, an experienced world traveller, a spirited player of games, both card and board, and a knowledgeable user of each and every Apple product. She loved to garden, to dance, to walk (always really fast), and to play her beloved piano. She enjoyed sports (especially the San Francisco Giants) and intensely followed current events and politics, particularly proud to say that among her friends, whether in Sonoma, Southern California, the golf club, or the Villa, she was the "only Democrat." Doris was always learning something: Spanish, Italian, art history, personal computing, golf (known as "Doris Down the Middle"), even calculus in her late eighties. And she was the original "techno-grannie," emailing and receiving photos, and creating her own greeting cards when most grandparents still had dial phones.

Doris loved life. She loved her friends. Most of all, she loved Bob and her family. She will be missed.

A private memorial service for her family will be held at San Domenico chapel in San Anselmo. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to the St. Vincent dePaul Society or Hospice by the Bay, Larkspur, California.