Obituary of Doris Heide Hartmann

Doris Hartmann (née Bischofberger), born on March 26, 1934, in Mannheim, Germany, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication.

At the age of 19, Doris emigrated to Canada as a house helper and nanny, settling in Montreal. It was there she met and married her beloved husband, Erwin Hartmann, in June 1956. The couple welcomed their daughter Patricia in September 1957. In 1960, the family moved to Kingston, and then to St. Catharines in 1964, where they established their home for the next 64 years. In 1971, they were blessed with their son, Jeff.

Doris began her career as a short-order cook at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, working alongside Erwin, who was the executive head chef. She later became a paraprofessional with the District School Board of Niagara, working at Lady Spencer Churchill School until her retirement in 1994. A devoted member of the Catholic Women’s League, Doris also volunteered with the Heidehof Benevolent Society, providing care and comfort to its residents. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting and knitting. But her real passion was keeping a clean household. She will be forever lovingly remembered with a dishcloth in her hands.

Doris was the beloved wife of the late Erwin Hartmann, who passed away suddenly in 2007. She was the loving mother of Patricia Vickers (Richard) of St. Catharines and Jeff Hartmann (Elizabeth) of Niagara Falls. She was the cherished Oma of Natalie (Mitch), Stephanie (John), Erin (Dante), and Justin, and “Uber-Oma” of Mackland, Vaughn, and Cooper. She was a dear sister-in-law to Hanni Bischofberger, Renate Hartmann, and Erika Hartmann. Predeceased by her parents, Gertrude and Alfred Bischofberger, and her siblings Hannelore (Arthur) Mackert and Karl-Fritz Bischofberger (Hanni), and her in-laws Werner Hartmann, Arnold Hartmann, and Arthur Mackert. Doris will be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family members, as well as friends in Canada and abroad.

Visitation will be held at George Darte Funeral Home, St. Catharines, from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, July 24, and from 9-11 am on Thursday, July 25, followed by a funeral service in the chapel at 11 am. A short burial blessing will take place at Pleasantview Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the funeral home at 1:30 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Doris’s memory to the Alzheimer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Doris will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and smiling cheerful disposition, as well as her unwavering dedication to her family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Doris's family would like to extend many thanks to the wonderful staff at both Lindenhaus and Henley House (Morningstar) for their exceptional care and warm friendship.