The Life of Doris Mae Plumley
Doris Mae Lotter Plumley died Saturday, September 16, barely missing her 88th birthday. Transplanted from Philly, she and the love of her life, James Plumley, lived in Cinnaminson, NJ. In the 1980s, Doris found her forte teaching exercise and line dancing to seniors, first at the Baptist Home in Riverton, and then in Marlton. But it was with the Cinnaminson seniors she truly excelled. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude gained her friends throughout the decades. She retired from exercise class but a few years ago.
Doris was a “talker” as she would happily admit. And James was somewhat deaf, so that created some humorous moments at home. They both loved hobbies—but separate ones, he model railroading, and she miniatures and her magnificent dollhouse. Together they would travel finding the perfect blend, a train ride for him, a dollhouse store or museum, for her. And they shared the constant disappointment created by the Phillies. When Jim developed Alzheimer’s, Doris cared for him at home until his passing.
Doris had a knack for coordinating each accessory and piece of clothing, down to her socks, something she inherited from her spiffy mother, but her daughter somehow missed getting.
Decorating for holidays was a passion and her enjoyment of Halloween led to a feature story on her in the Burlington County Times. Gardening was also a happy pastime and she took great pride in the variety of azaleas that surrounded her Cinnaminson home. When not able to dig in the dirt herself any longer, she reveled in others’ floral accomplishments.
And she read…voraciously. Mysteries were her preferred literature, but she took great pleasure in reading the newspaper from front to back, commenting heatedly about some letter to the editor she thought horribly wrong. She was a slight anomaly among her contemporaries in that she was completely bias free. And was quite proud to vote for a woman for president.
She was loved by many, some who considered her part of their family. And vice versa. Her best friend from babyhood, Marie Kenny; her son-in-law, Paul Petruccelli-an advocate who was always there for her; Robert Bourne-like a son: and Dee Castner, Sue Heisler, Jacque Marshall, Michelle Miranda-recently added daughters.
She delighted in reminiscing with her beloved cousin, Polly Flanagan, and was a wonderful aunt to Gay Lynn Shouey. And a terrific grandmother to—ferrets! Many ferrets. Where some may have balked at an unfamiliar creature, Doris went with the flow, as she would say, and embraced her daughter’s love of them, if not hold the ferrets themselves! The addition of adopted Bichon Frises enriched her life immeasurably. Eddie, Louie, and Wally will miss her sneaking them treats and cuddling on her chair. Diane, her daughter, will miss everything else: the disagreements, the guffaws over goofy things, the bustling busy cleaning, the generosity, the appreciation of beautiful things, and the daily sign-off—Nitey Nite! Goodnight Mom. We love you.