Doris Mae Hauser Kochel, 94

October 08, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

October 8, 2014 was no ordinary day for the extended Adams and Kochel families. Our dear Mother and Grandma passed away peacefully at her home in Lititz, PA. Doris Mae Hauser Kochel was the only child born to Matthias and Zetta Hauser on May 21, 1920. She lived her entire 94 years in Lancaster County.

In her youth Doris was happiest when she was at the dance studio or on stage performing with the Red Rose Boys from Rheems. She continued her love of performing in the 1930’s appearing as a dancer in nightclubs and theaters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. In the 1940’s she was a vocalist for the Big Bands of Chet Lincoln and Bob Lyter.

In high school, Mother met her dance partner for life, Richard Kochel ( Dick). They were the only couple from the first graduating class at McCaskey High School to marry one another! They were married on April 14, 1946 at St Stephens Lutheran church.

Another love was sewing. It is safe to say every member of the family can point to something she made for them. Everything from sport coats, wedding dresses, doll clothes, Halloween costumes, draperies, bedspreads, and even men’s ties. She always said she had to learn to sew since she was short and everything needed to be hemmed. Some of us think she really didn’t enjoy cooking and sewing made it easier to have a simple dinner 🙂

Mom and Dad had two children and we became “the four D’s”—-Dick, Doris, Dorinda, and David!! Once we were nearly out of the house, Mom worked for Manheim Township at the Municipal Building. She also enjoyed being on the seasonal staff for Watt & Shand Department store. There was also volunteer work with the Red Cross and Lancaster General Hospital. Together Mom and Dad volunteered with Fulton Opera House Guild.

In the empty nest years, Mother and Dad would spend many happy weeks at the family beach house on Long Beach Island, NJ. They were not afraid to travel and visited everyplace their “kids” lived. It was an excuse for Mother to sew more curtains, slipcover a chair, or make baby outfits. Grandma is what her five grandchildren called her—-Matthew, Jonathan, Jason, Chad and Amanda. And, the “outlaws” Tobi and Rob fondly called her MOM.

We all enjoyed watching slides from the many, many trips our parents took both in the USA and Europe. It was hard for them to pick a favorite, since each trip was a new adventure and fond memory.

In their 80’s Mother and Dad settled in to new surroundings at Moravian Manor in Lititz. The traveling slowed down, but friends were still entertained for “Happy Hour” and dancing done at grandchildren’s weddings. Four great grandchildren expanded the family tree—–Ashton, Julia, Ava, and Ana.

Tina became Dad’s caregiver first and continued for Mom, calling them Mom and Dad. She has become a member of our family the past six years and we are very grateful for her support and care so our parents could stay at home. Thank you, Tina!

In partnership with Tina, Hospice & Community Care provided invaluable care for Mom in her last three months. Anyone wishing to remember our mother through a donation can do it through this outstanding agency at P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Mother, blessings on this journey. We can picture you and Dad dancing together again.

Dave & Tobi and Dorinda & Rob
Matthew & Melanie, (Julia, Ana) Jonathan, Jason & Ann, Chad & Karen (Ashton, Ava), Amanda