Doris Anna Marie Parfitt "D"

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, educator and friend, died on April 18, 2018 in Falls Church, VA. Doris, referred to by her family and friends as “D,” was born in McKees Rocks, PA to Louis and Anna Artinger on July 29, 1926. Dwas one of three children. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Paul Parfitt, and siblings Harry and Trudy.

D excelled in academics and graduated as the salutatorian of her high school class. She received an academic scholarship to attend college at Penn State University and later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with BS in Science. Later in life, she returned to college and obtained a second degree in education. It is in the classroom that D left an enduring legacy sharing her passion for education and heart for giving. She was a devoted teacher and inspired confidence, independence and excellence in her students and her family. D taught at the Uniontown Public Schools for two decades before relocating to Virginia with her husband, Paul who had retired from U.S. Steel.

While living in the Washington Metropolitan area, D worked many different jobs and eventually assumed the role of grandmother extraordinaire to her 6 adoring grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She is survived by her son, Kevin (Bonnie Jennings) and daughters, Michelle (Gerard Mene ) and Lynan (Ellen Pascal); as well as six grandchildren, Mark Parfitt, Elizabeth Parfitt (Justin Pritchard), Paul Parfitt, Lee Parfitt, Paul Mene and Reid Mene (fiancé Chelsea Wilkes) and Evie Pritchard, her great granddaughter.

D spent the later years of her life enjoying her passions of travel, theater and family. She adored her family and being with them was her only requested gift. Having D in your life was to experience the purest love you will ever know. D was a beacon in all of her children and grandchildren’s lives and remained their most ardent supporter and advocate. She worried constantly about everyone and we often mused that “worry” was her hobby. She was a beautiful, brilliant, strong, courageous and caring person. She had a wonderful laugh and a comforting hug. One of her favorite books was the “Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Her favorite song was “Smile”. She asked that when her time came to be in Heaven that we remember her by doing a kind deed or sharing a kind word with someone who needs it.

D will be interned at a private ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery where her dear husband Paul was interned in 2002. She will live her eternal life within our hearts. Both D and Paul will be a part of our lives now and forever. Should you wish to honor and celebrate D’s generous life, simply do a kind deed for another. That was her wish.