Doris M. Bohnhorst, 90, of Jamison, formerly of Massapequa Park, New York, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, May 2. After a long and courageous struggle with paralysis, Doris passed away at St. Mary Medical Center, where she received excellent care and personal comfort from all of her health-care and hospice providers.

Doris was born in 1920 in Utica, New York, to Catherine and William Black. Her ten brothers and sisters preceded her in death, Leo, Billy, Donald, Peanuts (Thomas), Joe, Henry, Julia, Alice, Bess, and Kate.

Doris was the beloved and devoted wife of Herman (“Barney”) F. Bohnhorst, who she married in 1950 in Amityville, New York. In addition to her husband, Doris is survived by her daughters, Carol Bohnhorst of Plainsboro, New Jersey and Gail Dubowe, of Jamison; and her son-in-law, Mark Dubowe. She will be missed by her daily animal companions, Katie and Enzo, and her beloved Siamese cat, Callie.

Doris enjoyed reading the newspaper every day and following the news on TV, gardening, long walks at Jones Beach Park, and trips to Atlantic City. Doris began her career in the medical field as a laboratory technician at Faxton Hospital in Utica and later worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory, on Long Island, where she met her husband-to-be. She spent the latter part of her career at Brunswick Hospital in Amityville, where, as a blood bank specialist, she dedicated herself to patient safety and quality health-care issues. Throughout her entire professional and personal life, Doris was a devoted caregiver to her family and friends. Visits to people who were ill, trips to hospitals and nursing homes, and special prayers were a daily part of Doris’ desire to help individuals who needed support during difficult times.

Doris’ final advice- which she shared with everyone- was to walk every day because she truly believed that being able to walk was a divine gift. Her confinement to a wheelchair in the last years of her life was a severe hardship, and she often suggested that when you see someone in a wheelchair, take the time to stop and say hello and ask them how they are doing.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewings, Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 6-8pm from the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954 and on Friday, May 6, 2011 from 10:00am until her Funeral Mass 11:00am at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, 1410 Almshouse Rd., Jamison, PA 18929. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any organization dedicated to help paralyzed individuals or research for spinal cord injuries.