Doris Ray DeHart, (née Blasberg), was born July 25, 1926. Doris was a unique and wonderful human being who lived through many changes and challenges in her lifetime but always with grace and strength. The firstborn of Erich and Ella Blasberg in Camden, New Jersey, Doris grew up in The Great Depression along with her siblings, Erich, Jr., Robert, and Joan. She attended and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (Class of 1944) in the uncertain years of World War II, but had the grounding of a close and loving family. Always a thoughtful and introspective young person, she discovered her love and abilities in visual art learning from her also talented father. Doris worked in early computing (keypunch) for The Insurance Company of North America (CIGNA) in Philadelphia. During this time she met, fell in love, and married her husband, John Walter DeHart, Jr. of Thorofare, NJ (now West Deptford, NJ). The couple welcomed their daughter, Deborah Lee, to their lives in 1953. Doris lost her beloved husband, “Walt” in 1960 after which she returned to the workforce at People’s Building and Loan (later Carteret Bank) to provide for her daughter. She raised her daughter who became a successful and strong woman after the excellent role model Doris provided. She was a woman ahead of her time. Doris returned to painting in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, and studied at Reinecker Art studio as well as privately with Doris Weller Brofsky. After retirement, she attended and studied art at the University of Delaware’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (OLLI) for 15 years. She developed into a gifted and prolific watercolorist and had a number of art shows to her credit. In 2011, health concerns led Doris to relocate to Wilmington, Delaware to live with her daughter. She continued to draw and paint up to a few months before her passing. Loving and generous in nature, Doris was always patient in adversity, kind, willing to help others, a great friend, and quite possibly the best mother in the world. She was cared for by her daughter for twelve years until the end of her life and was forbearing through all challenges. Doris passed peacefully to Life Eternal on November 29, 2023 after 97 years of gracing our lives with her presence, wisdom, patience, and love. God bless her and may she rest in His eternal peace and love.
Doris was predeceased by her husband, John Walter DeHart, Jr., her parents, Erich Blasberg, Sr. and Ella Alcott Seeds Blasberg, her sister-in-law, Joan Blasberg, and brother-in-law, Michael Tropiano.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lee DeHart, siblings Erich Blasberg, Jr., Robert Blasberg (Nancy), and Joan Tropiano, nine nieces and nephews and their spouses, twenty great nieces and nephews, as well as her loving family of close friends.
There will be a private graveside service for family and close friends on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM in The Chapel of Saint Edmond’s Academy, 2120 Veale Road, Wilmington, DE with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her daughter, Deborah DeHart, for various charities that Doris supported in her lifetime. To send condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com.
