Obituary of Doris Marilyn Lapp

Doris Marilyn Lapp (nee Neff)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Marilyn Lapp (nee Neff) on Saturday, December 31 at the age of 91. Doris died peacefully, with her loving grand-daughter Katelynn keeping watch over her, and attended by the compassionate staff at Maple Park Lodge. Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband John, brothers Herman and Allen, and parents Karl and Mildred Neff. She leaves to mourn her dear sister Nancy (Wayne) Lapp of Montreal, and children Nancy (Kevin) Rafferty of Fort Erie, Ruth Lapp (Jenece Gerber) of Nova Scotia, Miriam Lapp (Guy Trépanier) of Ottawa, Peter (Terry) Lapp of Fort Erie, and foster son Ian Archer of Niagara Falls. She is also survived by her beloved grand-children, Kyleen Rafferty, Katelynn (Ian) Weldon, Kristopher Rafferty (Hayley Woehl), Mary (Scott) Lodde, and Isaac Lapp (Elizabeth Snow). Doris also leaves three great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Johnny, Libby and Benji, and baby Jane, the great-granddaughter whom she had not yet met. Doris will also be sadly missed by her many nieces and nephews and their families.

Doris was born on February 21, 1932, in Brantford, Ontario. When she was just two years old, her parents moved to northern Ontario to take up homestead farming in the midst of the Great Depression. Doris spent 10 years of her childhood living in a humble, one-room log cabin, where she developed a life-long love of nature and animals. At the age of 14, she lost her beloved mother to tuberculosis, an event that marked her deeply for life. The family had moved to Kirkland Lake, where she completed high-school and forged many life-long friendships. At the age of 27, she moved with her sister to North Bay, where she met the love of her life and soulmate, John. They were married in November 1960, and settled in Stevensville, where they raised a family and spent the rest of their lives together.

Doris had a deep and unwavering faith in God, and was a long-standing member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Snyder. She took great meaning from her involvement with her church family, whether it be through the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, teaching Sunday School, or making crafts for the annual craft sales. Her faith also inspired her deep commitment to helping ‘the least of these’, shown through her many years of fund-raising for Families for Children, and her involvement, along with John, in refugee support through the Casa El Norte in Fort Erie.

Doris loved working with people – which she put to great use as an Avon lady and working at Nigh’s Chocolates (much to the delight of her grandchildren). She also loved gardening and was a talented artist and crafter, best known for the many beautiful quilts she created, and which her family now cherish as precious reminders of her. She had a razor-sharp sense of humour combined with a deep sense of right and wrong, which could make for some devastatingly funny (and accurate) commentary. Those who knew her know that she wasn’t shy about sharing her viewpoints. But she was also a strong, kind and generous woman, who loved to laugh and dance, and was happiest when simply spending time with her family.

The family wish to thank Dr. Scher and the incredible staff at Maple Park Lodge, for the compassionate care and dignity you gave to Doris during her final days. We also thank Dr. Spencer for many years of professional care and support.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 5-8 pm at Williams Funeral Home, Ridgeway, ON. A Christian celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 5 at 11 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Snyder, ON.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to causes that Doris cared about: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, or refugee resettlement.