Doris S. Berwager passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at her home, with her daughters by her side. Doris was born June 16, 1923, in her parents' home - the Hanover Hospital was not yet in existence. She was the only child of Margaret (Gerrick) Shadle and Roger L. Shadle. She graduated from Eichelberger High School, Hanover in 1941. She received her title of Registered Nurse upon graduation in 1945 from the Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing. In 1949 she married Benjamin E. Berwager, Jr., to whom she was married for over 40 years. Benjamin preceded her in death in 1990. Doris and Ben had three children, JoAnn Berwager of Hanover, Claudia Berwager of Lebanon, and Bruce Berwager and wife, Tanya of Santa Barbara, Calif. She had one granddaughter, Jordyn Nicole Berwager - a student at Arizona State University. Doris was a lifelong member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hanover. She was a past member of their social ministry committee, a supporter of their Provide a Lunch program, CROP-Walk team, and their Medical Ministry International endeavors. Prior to her marriage, Doris was employed as a supervisor at The Washington Home for Foundlings in Bethesda, Md. She later returned to this area, and worked at the Hanover General Hospital doing private duty and as a staff nurse. In 1969 she joined the staff of the Visiting Nurse Association in Hanover, where she worked until her retirement. While with the VNA, she served the community by doing home visits to give care, was Director of Community Health Education, and coordinated their "Preparation for Childbirth" classes for 18 years. Doris prided herself as being one of 122,000 nurses who have participated in the original Nurses' Health Study since 1976. This Harvard Medical School study investigates the potential long term consequences of diet, nutrition, diseases, quality of life, and other health-related topics as to their relation to chronic diseases. Being an avid traveler, Doris visited 42 states and over 18 National Parks, during annual family trips. She also visited Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Israel, Norway, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy, England, Austria, The Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico, Curacao, and Canada. Doris' thirst for knowledge kept her mind in sharp condition through her 90th year. She read several daily newspapers and strived to complete the USA Today crossword puzzles by the end of each day. The trusty World Book Encyclopedia was her source of knowledge through most of her life, however, in recent years, she enjoyed researching subjects on the internet. Appreciation of the arts was paramount in Doris' life. She was a VIP member of Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center, a member of the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, and enjoyed attending live theatre performances throughout the area, Broadway shows, movies, and "Live from the Metropolitan Opera" High Definition broadcasts. Doris was a staunch supporter of the U.S. Olympic team. She attended the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and visited the sites of several other Olympics. She was an avid Olympic pin collector. She was looking forward to wearing her "GO USA" mittens and cheering on the team for the Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics this week. Doris will be missed by her family and friends. Visitation with family and friends will be Friday, February 14, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kenworthy Funeral Home, 269 Frederick St., Hanover. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 15, 2014 at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 129 Charles St., Hanover. Musical prelude will begin at 10:15 a.m. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hanover.


Published in Evening Sun on Feb. 9, 2014

Added Feb. 9, 2014 at 7:12 a.m.