Doris Haring

Doris Frances Bennett Haring
1919-2014

Doris Frances Bennett Haring passed away on August 16th, 2014 after being ill for slightly more than a year. She survived her late husband Reverend Robert William Haring, Pastor Emeritus of Trinity Presbyterian Church (Now: St. Mark's Presbyterian Church). They were very happily married for over sixty-seven years until his passing in 2011. Their only child, John Alan Haring, continues the family tradition.

Doris was born in Cleveland at Old Woodland Hospital to Alan E. Bennett and Elsie M. (Telling). They lived on East 74th with her older brother, George E., before the family moved in 1923 to a new Cleveland Heights home designed and built by Alan, a civil engineer. Surrounded by a tight-knit loving family, she grew up happily and began life-long interests in music, arts, theater, history, continual learning, and devotion to dogs and all animals while engaging in athletic pursuits such as playing tackle football in bare feet on muddy fields. Her Aunt Doll Telling, a science teacher in the Cleveland School system, helped foster this intellectual growth and constant curiosity.

Her initial education started at Fairfax Elementary, progressed through Roxboro Junior High, and completed with proudly graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in 1937. With excellent grades and recommendations, her college counselor suggested she attend Oberlin. Eventual Veterinarian studies were being considered. Alan knew how close Doris was to her family and counseled she checkout a nearer one, Wooster. She followed the advice and chose this college. Upon attendance,her future life path quickly unfolded.

There, she picked a Liberal Arts Degree program with a major in History. Many friendships started which became life-long. Mary Johnston(Ellis), Alfie Gabriel (Campbell), and Mary Wilcox (Hughes) became like sisters to her. More importantly, she first met Robert in Latin class. They started their acquaintance on common ground, both disliking math but loving dogs. From this small beginning, a friendship slowly grew from many mutually shared interests that finally blossomed into a special great love. Together, they presented a perfectly matched couple.

After graduation in 1941, Doris returned home to work in the Cleveland Heights Public Library on Coventry. Robert began his training to become a minister in New York City at Union Theological Seminary. A long distance courtship ensued until their marriage in 1943 on September 11th at Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland. The ceremony was officiated by Robert's brother, the Reverend Leon Haring.

Doris returned with Robert to New York while he finished his final year of course work and began clinical training at three local churches. During this period she worked in Union's library and audited some courses. She most enjoyed the Sacred Music curriculum.

Upon Robert's graduation in 1944, they moved to Osborn in Dayton, Ohio. There he completed his clinical training by pastoring at a small church while fulfilling his military service obligations by providing chaplain services for the nearby airbase. John was born in 1946. She was often heard stating that she loved him more than anything else in the world.

In 1948 an opportunity arouse for Robert that allowed Doris to return to her beloved family and Cleveland Heights. He was called by the Presbytery of the Western Reserve to take charge of a new mission church being formed on Cleveland's Southeast side. Robert accepted and was installed on February 13th, 1949. Once the manse was finished, the family moved to Warrensville Heights where they resided until 1983. In 1953 Trinity Presbyterian Church's groundbreaking occurred.

Doris was a woman for all seasons and of many parts. She raised John, managed the family finances, handled daily household chores, helped her parents, taught and assisted at Trinity Church, became a substitute History teacher for the Warrensville Heights system's 7th through 12th grades while still making every holiday special for her family. The premature death of her brother, George, in 1966 profoundly affected her. They had shared a special bond. His absence was always felt.

She remained in education until 1975 when her father's death necessitated an early retirement so she could care of Elsie and her parent's residence.

In spite of being very busy, Doris actively pursued many interests. She always had a dog in the house. Over the years, they included three Wire-haired Terriers, a Basenji named Bambi, and most recently a devoted mixed Labrador called George. Her love of music continued with regular attendance at Severance Hall concerts, Operas, musicals, and playing the piano. She also enjoyed live theater, movies, and social gatherings among family and friends. She frequented local museums. Special attention was given to preserving a collection of clocks, unique timepieces, and family heirlooms.

Doris loved the outdoors and thrived outside. Her constitution was so robust, the family Internist commented in her file that she could have successfully crossed the country with early settlers in a Conestoga wagon. Yard work was her favorite pastime. She carefully tended beloved plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Among the favorites were roses, Nasturtiums, Mock Oranges, Forget-me-Nots, Walnut trees, Maples trees, and pines.

The change of seasons and associated weather inspired her. She regularly coordinated the colors of her apparel and household trims, such as drapes and tablecloths, to reflect the visual themes outside or holidays about to come.

Doris exhibited a giving spirit and caring attention that attracted many into her company. She kept in regular touch with family and friends through correspondence and phone. Birthdays and holidays were always acknowledged. She had an aura that even animals seemed to notice as witnessed by one dog's entrance into the family.

During an afternoon rainstorm, Doris was driving in heavy traffic along Northfield road. While stopping, she noticed a dog trailing by the passenger door. After coming to a rest, she opened the door. The wet dog immediately jumped in and sat down next to her. She immediately took the animal to the local veterinarian in hopes of finding the owner. He examined the dog and told her that she was a Basenji; a South African dog bred not to bark. Moreover, he knew the owners and felt it would be best for the dog if she were not returned to them. He then recommended that Doris keep her. She accepted the advice and named the new addition, Bambi.

Preceding Robert's retirement from Trinity Presbyterian Church in 1984 and required abandonment of Trinity's manse, she inventively combined the Haring household with Elsie's at the childhood residence. She cared for her until Elsie's passing in 1986. The greatest challenge she faced during these years involved developing blindness as increasing complications associated with Glaucoma steadily diminished her vision. Eventually, she was forced to give up driving and reading. She dearly missed staying informed from newspapers and books or clearly watching classic movies.

Doris firmly believed everyone should know one's family's history. Records of her family tree, dating from the 1800s, were carefully journaled with noteworthy accomplishments remembered. She was very proud of her English roots and kept in regular contact with generational counterparts residing across the Atlantic.

Several years ago, a hand surgeon noticed a distinguishing anatomical feature that indicated how deep her roots extended. When John needed hand surgery, the doctor noticed undeveloped Dupuytren contractures (Cords of tissue) along some fingers. The same features were then observed on her. The surgeon explained this marker proved Vikings ancestors were in her lineage since only individuals having Nordic heritage display these contractures. Doris was thrilled at the news and joked about getting a horned helmet and shield.

Doris dearly loved all of her extended family with special attention given to George and his wife Joan's three daughters and respective families. They are as follows. Daughter Gail and husband John Wagner have two sons: Ross (George's first grandchild), and Steve with wife Nikki having sons: Ryan, Cole, and Nolan. Daughter Holly,(Husband Norm Cole), has two children: Cory and wife Alisha having children James and Ruby, and Brea with her children Kyle and Hailey. Daughter Lauri, (Husband Chuck Hageman), has four children: Brandon, Bennett, Jason with wife Christina having daughter Marianna, and Kati with her husband Jason having children Annabelle and Owen.

Doris exhibited a deep spirituality and manifested good will towards all. She lived by two sayings handed down from the Tellings.

1. It never hurts to be kind.
2. There are kinds of people in this world: Those who give you strength and those who take it away from you.

Anyone, who knew Doris, was acutely aware of her kind heart and ready willingness to give strength to others.

Supporting worthy charities was very important to her. The family would appreciate that her memory be honored with donations to one of the following organizations:

Cleveland Sight Center
University Circle
1909 East 101st Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-8696
216-791-8118
Clevelandsightcenter.org

Or

Cleveland Animal Protective League
1729 Wiley Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216-771-4616
ClevelandAPL.org


Special acknowledgments are given for the caring help afforded by Dr. Harvey P. Niven, a retired Dentist, to Doris since Robert 's death and to The Cleveland Clinic Hospital and Maison Aine for the exceptional care provided during the trying times of her long illness.



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