Obituaries
Doris L. Mester
April 14, 2021
Doris L. (Staub) Mester died on Wednesday, April 14 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law , Ernest III and Lynda Mester. Having initially survived Covid, she eventually succumbed to complications of that wretched disease. She passed away peacefully with family and friends close by. Doris was the loving and devoted wife of Ernest L. Mester, Jr. to whom she was married for 44 years and died in December, 2002.
Born on a farm in East Petersburg, to Irvin (died in 1947) and Elizabeth (Herzog) Staub (died in 1996), Doris grew up on Reservoir St in Lancaster, graduated from McCaskey High School with honors, and attended Millersville State Teaching College on scholarship. Graduating from Millersville, Doris taught fifth grade for the school district of Lancaster for several years. Later she was a substitute teacher for the district and served as a teacher’s aid at Lancaster Catholic High. Doris was committed to education in various forms for all her life.
When Doris and Ernie, Jr married in 1957, a large family followed soon after…eight children in ten years. In the old fashioned way, Ernie was the head of the family and Doris was the heart. Love and good cooking propelled us. Remarkably, between themselves and in front of their children, a cross word or contradiction cannot be recalled.
Preceding her in death were sons David (died in infancy, 1964) and Michael (died in 2018, wife Beverly surviving). Doris had one sister, Myrtle Ezell (died in 2006).
Surviving daughters are Anne (Mester) Scott (Bremerton, WA),and Eileen Mester-Keller (York). Surviving sons are Ernest III (wife Lynda, of Lancaster), Patrick (wife Katherine of San Leandro, CA), Christopher (Philadelphia), and Stephen (wife Marie of Lancaster). Doris took great pride and joy in her grandchildren: Melissa, David, Michael, Cory, Ocean, Peter, and Isabelle; and great grandchildren: Alexia, Georgia, and Claire.
Doris’ strong Catholic faith and natural bent for the underdog motivated her to participate in the Cursillo movement , Hogar Crea, and many other humanitarian causes. She was a bingo worker and volunteered for an untold number of parish activities at St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart and others. Doris organized a care package operation for our soldiers in the Bosnian war, for which she was awarded a Lancaster Red Rose. She was also devoted to the Sisters of the Dominican Monastery.
Doris played clarinet in high school and college marching bands and her love of music has passed to all her children. Doris was also a fair athlete, good swimmer, and proud of the fact that she at one time held the girl’s record at Edward Hand Jr. High for the two-hand overhead basketball toss.
Doris was active in Democratic politics, and could always be counted on by local politicians to help man the phones to fundraise or get out the vote.
Doris was a saleswoman extraordinaire who sold all manor of things over the telephone including insurance, advertising, and tomb stones. Doris also worked for the Playhouse Toy Company where by her second year she was the top salesperson in the country.
Doris had a prodigious memory for poetry, and history, especially the personal histories of anyone she ever met.
Doris chose to live out her last years in Conestoga View, where she thrived as sort of a one woman welcome wagon for new arrivals. She took great interest in all her fellow residents and enjoyed learning and sharing their stories. She could also knit up a storm, and many hats, gloves, and scarves went to those who needed them.
We will remember Doris as a lover of word puzzles, storytelling, poetry, and just causes. We will remember her as someone who, as the poet said, was involved in mankind. So, we are sad she has left us, but her death does not diminish us, as long as we can love and remember.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, date to be announced.
In place of flowers, please send contributions in Doris’ name to The Cloistered Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary, 1834 Lititz Pk, Lancaster, PA 17602.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
July 31, 2021
Below is a link to a photo slideshow I created on YouTube from photos taken throughout my grandmother Doris’s colorful life. I hope you all find comfort in your memories of her.
Melissa Mester-Burkett
June 06, 2021
Dear Ernest, Lynda, and all the related kids and their families, As usual, whenever I start having your Mom on my mind, it’s never been a good sign. We are so connected by faith and love that I intuitively knew when she was going through a rough spot. Most of the time I’d find she had been ill or hospitalized. I have been thinking about her every day the last month or so. Tonight it got to me so much that I went online and searched Lancaster obits and to my dismay saw her obit. Of course I had a good cry over the loss of one of my constant soulmates. Your Mom and I have been BFFs for over 60 yrs. I was a newlywed when we met as neighbors in Kalamazoo a veritable lifetime ago. We shared so much. I became pregnant 2 mos. after my marriage and your Mom was pregnant also. Then we had our 2nd child who died 2 days after her birth and just a few weeks later your baby brother, David also passed away and we mourned our losses together. Our babies are buried about 100 ft. from each other. I’ll never forget the phone call I got at my mother-in-laws house. I answered the phone and your Mom said, “David is in heaven with your Renata tonight.” I was in shock! I couldn’t believe my ears. It was a very rough spot for both of us. I could go on and on about our friendship, but just want you all to know that, even though life was not easy for your Mom or all of you because of that old bi-polar demon (my mother also suffered from it, as does my youngest daughter), she loved you kids, and her beloved Ernie, so very much. Even though life was not easy for her, she still had the strongest faith and kindest, loving heart of anyone I ever knew. I know she’s praying and watching over all of us now from above. My deepest condolences to you all. Love and hugs, Claudette Filiputti
May 23, 2021
I am just now learning of the passing of my friend. I was hoping to bring her communion for Pentecost only to learn she is in complete communion now with the Love of her life. May you as a family be blessed by her deep profound love of each one of you. She was so very proud of your individual gifts and talents. Ernest, thank you for bringing her home prior to her ultimate homecoming. Picturing her laughing wit Rita over recent school naming. Please reach out whenever you have a moment and want to share memories.
Mary Theresa King-Linares
May 18, 2021
My condolences to Doris family. My sister meet your Mother at Conestoga View, their rooms were across the hall from each other. They started to get to know each other & due to your Mom’s influence my sister, Christine started going to Mass at the chapel. Doris is a women of faith & she and Christine have been reunited in God’s heaven. They are angels looking over us.
Barbara
May 15, 2021
I left Doris to do most of the talking whenever I visited her at Conestoga View and was amazed at how much she knew about the local area and events. So wherever this beautiful soul has been, she left a trail of beautiful memories. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 10, 2021
Who could not love Mrs. Mester’s joyful, loving friendly spirit? Ernie, Anne…your mother overflowed warmth and delight. She had an forever-young quality. Never forget her.
Ed Tack
May 06, 2021
Doris and I became friends in our mutual volunteer work for Lancaster Catholic High. We remained friends for many years and I came to appreciate her deep faith in Catholicism and her love for others. She always put others before herself, true agape love. She was quick witted and had a knowledge of so many subjects it made her an entertaining as well as enlightening companion. May God welcome her into His kingdom.
Virginia Anspach
May 06, 2021
Dear Ernie, Lynda and Mester family,
So sorry to hear about Ernie’s mom. A gentle soul and dear servant to many. May the memories of a life well lived and every moment you shared be a source of comfort during this difficult time. With sincerest sympathies,
Tom Stipe
