Obituary of Doris Graver Durfee

Doris Graver Durfee, 97, of Hilton Head Island, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2018 at the Preston Health Center. As commented by her numerous friends, Doris was a kind and gracious lady, always having a smile to greet her visitors and guests. She was born Doris Louise Graver in New Haven, Connecticut on Sept. 12, 1921, the daughter of the late Robert Graver and Rose Hermann Graver. She was raised with her 3 sisters in New Haven. Following high school, she graduated from the Grace Hospital School of Nursing in New Haven as a Registered Nurse in 1943. She married the love of her life and husband of 67 years, Harold Allen Durfee, in 1944. She served in several hospitals as well as being engaged in private duty nursing for many years throughout her life. She attended both Columbia University in New York City and American University in Washington, D.C. She received an Associate’s Degree from American University in 1975. Her husband Harold was a professor during his career and as his wife, Doris was involved with faculty women’s groups at Park College in Missouri, and served as President of the Faculty Women’s Association of American University. She also served as officer and volunteer in numerous charities and organizations. She was ordained an elder in the Potomac Presbyterian Church in Maryland in 1978. For over 30 years, she was a participant in the Harvard Medical School Nurses study. A long-time member of PEO, she served as chaplain in chapters in Maryland and Hilton Head. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head. Along with her husband, she was the co-founder of the Harold A. and Doris G. Durfee ‘Lectures in Philosophy’ Series at American University. During her life, she and her husband traveled extensively throughout Western Europe and lived for a year in Oxford, England. Upon their return to the United States, she taught in the Montgomery County (MD) public schools, teaching a ‘hands-on’ science course to elementary students. A devoted and loving wife and mother, she is survived by her two sons, Peter Allen Durfee of Slingerlands, NY and Gary Robert Durfee of Bluffton, S.C., by son-in-law Peter Manson of Slingerlands, NY, by nephew Carl Evans (Marie) of Florida, by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and by grand-dogs Rusty and Inky. Her husband Harold preceded her in death in 2011. The family wishes to express their deep thanks to the Preston Health Center and Tidewater Hospice for their care and concern during this time. A memorial service will be held in the Cypress Hall, 20 Lady Slipper Ln., Hilton Head Island on October 27, 2018 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the charity of the donor’s choice. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. Islandfuneralhome.com.