Preceded in death by her much loved, cherished and precious husband Teodor Dabrowski; beloved mom and best friend of Heidi Dabrowski; loving Omi of Jolie, Myszka, Bella, and Gia; heartbroken mom of Mark (Becky) Dabrowski.

Doris was born and raised in Germany as an only child to loving parents. As a young girl she lived through the horrors of World War II. Her family defied and survived the Nazi regime. After the war she met and married her soulmate and the love of her life in a union which lasted 50 years on earth and continues into eternity as witnessed by the Lord and dominions of angels. Emigrating just a year after being married they left all family behind arriving in the United States with nothing but the clothes on their back. Doris spoke no English and worked extremely hard on shifts opposite her beloved husband for many years until they could afford to buy a house and start a much prayed for and wanted family.

They joyfully and lovingly welcomed a son followed by a daughter into a happy, loving, supportive home. Happiness was abundant in the life they were creating for their new family with children whom they adored and sacrificed everything for. Despite their constant hard labors family travel, fun, and learning opportunities were always a part of this beautiful life they were building.

Doris worked at St. Margaret Hospital (North) for 43 years. She started by cleaning the nursery and along the way learned English and phlebotomy becoming so skilled she was the expert who was called, many times in the middle of the night, in difficult cases. She became a working manager of Special Chemistry during which time she contracted hepatitis from her benchwork and ended up with no liver function almost losing her life. Thankfully over time she recovered and resumed her career in the lab eventually working her way up to become Assistant Director of the Laboratory. During the merger with St. Margaret South her position was eliminated and she was forced to retire from the institution she gave so much of herself to. Once again, she had to redefine her life. With her children grown and making her proud with their accomplishments she finally could take a much-deserved rest from so many demands enjoying a beautiful life at home and traveling to much loved destinations with her beloved husband until they were separated by death. Doris had to again find her way but this time without her soulmate. As an incredibly strong woman she endured this unbelievable loss to slowly find her way through the darkness during many difficult years to once more create a new life, but her heart was never whole again. For the next twenty-three years Doris created many new memories with her adoring and extremely proud daughter. Despite the immense love and support of her daughter how lonely she must have been. She cherished time spent with her son and always longed to see and hear him especially when her health started declining some years ago.

Doris bravely battled many health issues over the past years having an especially heartbreaking last six months. She endured unimaginable suffering and pain the last week of her life pushing herself to survive against all odds after a “simple” medical procedure went horribly wrong. Her will power, grace, dignity, sheer determination and incredible fight left her doctors and care team amazed. But this was quite simply who Doris had been her entire life. She was an incredible person, a fiercely loyal, loving and supportive wife and mother who would selflessly do anything for her family.

Doris is now joined in union with her Teta forever to live in peace and joy in heaven their spirits woven together and living on as our special guardian angels. Though Doris is finally free from sadness, pain, fear and loneliness she is missed beyond words. Her absence is unbearable. “Yes, my life is better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.” Garth Brooks

Thank you for the dance of a lifetime my incredibly beautiful and loving mommy. I am so proud of you and in awe of your remarkable life and the brave, heroic battle you waged so many times. You are simply amazing. I am humbled by your kind and gentle nature especially in the face of so many wrongs repeatedly heaped on you. God bless and keep you forever. With all my love and blessings…I miss you terribly. I pray to find your extraordinary strength, courage and determination to learn to live again this time without you by my side. It will take a lifetime.

To never have known a love like this is to never have loved…

Donations in Doris’ memory may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

​

OPEN LETTER:

Thank you to the group of amazing doctors, nurses and aides who took exceptional care of Doris. You know who you are. Doris was able to put up the fight of her life and recover from Covid and double pneumonia among other illnesses during her long journey because of the incredible skill, devotion and love you gave her. You will forever be remembered in our prayers so that you can bestow your gift onto others in your care. May you be refreshed and strengthened in the knowledge that you always gave a deeply grateful daughter and mother hope and more incredible quality time together. No matter how many times things got bleak you never stopped trying. We love you.

Despite having to battle complex health issues over a very long period of time, like so many other families, we sadly had to battle against the ravages of the insurance, healthcare and home health systems. This is something that desperately needs to change but regrettably is the reality of healthcare in America.

To those of you who abandoned, neglected, mistreated, abused and stole from Doris your reward awaits you in the next life. To the death squad who showed up in Doris’ room every morning like clockwork in her final weeks with zero compassion, zero hope, zero humanity, one even stooping to constant verbal abuse…may God grant all of you just a fraction of Doris’ heart so that you may live up to your oath to above all do no harm and so that you may one day truly know how to compassionately minister to those whose life stories you cannot even begin to comprehend.