Obituary of Doris E. Locke

Doris E. Locke  1925 – 2019

Oriskany / Clinton – Doris E. Locke, 94, a resident of the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany, formerly of Clinton and New Hartford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at the nursing home.

            Doris was born February 20, 1925, in Stittville, NY, the daughter of Eugene and Louella (Williams) Miller.  She was a high school graduate and went on to graduate from the Utica School of Nursing.  On March 7, 1943, Doris married Clarence Locke, sharing a union of 61 years until his passing in 2004.  She had been employed with Faxton Hospital in Utica and later with The Lutheran Homes in Clinton.  Doris was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #471 Clinton-Westmoreland Chapter and a former Matron of the Grace Chapter.  She was also a member of the Uarda #24 - Daughters of the Nile.  Beginning in 1977, Doris and Clarence had many “adopted children” from sponsoring children from all over the world through AMG International.  Before her health had declined, Doris had been an active member of Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton as well as a volunteer with the Hope House in Utica.  Her final act of giving was to donate her body to science, in hope of helping others.

            Doris is survived by two sons, Roger and Gayle Locke, Liverpool, Peter and Joan Locke, Rome; two daughters, Judy LaGasse, Clinton, Chris and Dale Marsh, CA;  eight grandchildren, Michele and Steve Bousquet, NC, Pamela Christensen, Baldwinsville, Brian Locke, Liverpool, Tiffany and Richard Heintz II, Clinton, Buffie Brothers and Michael Haley, Middleport, NY, Autumn and Daniel Larsen, CA, Ben and Katrina Marsh, CA, Crystal and Steve Frey, CA; twenty great-grandchildren, Bryant, Amanda, Cassidy, Cole, Caleb, Alizah, Luke, Emily, Christopher, Richard III, Deanna, Elijah, Marin, Aiden, Joshua, Allison, Axel, Gavin, Kaydence, and Forest; and a great-great-granddaughter, Lucy.  Besides her husband, Doris is predeceased by two sisters and three brothers, Mary Carrier, Lois Torpey, Carlton Miller, Frederick Miller, and Donald Miller; and a son-in-law, Gary LaGasse.

            A Memorial Service will be held for Mrs. Locke on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton.  Interment in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Clinton will take place privately at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements are entrusted to R.P. Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., 10 East Park Row, Clinton.

            Those wishing may donate to AMG International, PO Box 182200, Chattanooga, TN 37422 or to Rise Against Hunger, c/o Stone Presbyterian Church, PO Box 33, Clinton, NY  13323.

            The family offers their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff of the MacDonald Unit of the Eastern Star Home for the love, care and compassion shown to Doris and her family during her stay.