Doris Harper

Age 95, passed away on July 1, 2017 at The Residence at Willow Lane in Kennedy Twp. and gone on to a better and more peaceful place.  Born on June 1, 1922, to the late John Frederick Cutler and Edith Hilda Page, she lived on Mississippi Avenue in Dormont, Pa. with her older sister Grace Eloise (Cutler) Potter.  After the passing of their mother, their father remarried the late Mildred Dorothy (Underwood) Cutler who gave birth to Doris’ brother the late John Frederick Cutler, Jr.  In December, 1942, Doris married the late Jack W. Harper of Robinson Twp, Pa. and raised a family first in Crafton, Pa. and subsequently in Robinson Twp on Steubenville Pike with her daughter, the late Nancy Jo (Harper) Rich and son, Jack W. Harper Jr.  Doris was a long-time member and active participate in the Union Presbyterian Church on Steubenville Pike.  She faithfully attended Sunday services and participated in church activities and events until she could no longer attend.  In the mid 1960’s Doris began working full-time at Mobay (Bayer Corporation) until retirement and made many new friendships.  In retirement, she and a close-knit circle of friends traveled the world together, volunteering, golfing, playing in card clubs and trying their hand at various art and craft projects.  She thoroughly enjoyed retirement and maintained close relationships with her family and friends.  She gamely carried on after learning in the early 2000’s that she had symptoms of the onset of Alzheimers.  Eventually, her family members convinced her to move from her home of 50+ years and become a resident of the Willows, where after 6+ years she succumbed to this insidious disease that stole her memories and her life.  Her friends and family will remember her as a loving and caring person who devoted herself to others.  She will be missed by all.

Friends will be received at the Joseph M. Somma Funeral Home, 5405 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA (located in Robinson Twp.)  on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 from 10am to 12pm followed by a 12pm funeral service at the funeral home.  She will be laid to rest alongside her husband and daughter at the Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations made in honor of Doris to the Alzheimer’s Association of Pgh. 1100 Liberty Ave. Suite E 201 Pgh, PA 15222.