Obituary

Doris May Sterling, age 93 of Bellingham, passed away peacefully in her sleep June 23, 2022. She was surrounded by loving family during her last months and days.

Doris was a determined, ambitious, dedicated woman who lived life on her own terms. She worked hard, loved to read, was a passionate gardener, and a dedicated lifelong learner.  She passed on her love of education to her children and grandchildren. Doris particularly loved taking her grandchildren to the YMCA for swim lessons and on regular outings to the public library. The thing that made Doris the happiest was being around family.  She was exceedingly generous, most often putting others ahead of herself.

Doris May Sterling was born Doris May Scheel on 02/28/1929 in Sedro Woolley WA.

After graduation from Sedro Woolley High School 1947 then attended Western Washington State College. Doris joined the Navy in 1950 where she worked at the naval hospital in San Diego helping to deliver babies. While in the Navy she met her husband William Leroy Sterling SR, they were married in 1952.  Doris and William moved to Millikan CO in 1952 after honorable discharge from the Navy.

Later while raising four children on her own, Doris finished her degree at Western Washington University (then Western Washington State College) in 1969.  She worked as a home health care nurse, then for many years at Georgia-Pacific paper mill.

Doris was recently preceded in death by beloved son William Leroy Sterling Jr, her eldest child, who was taken from us too soon. She was also preceded in death by parents Doris Scheel and Hans Peter (HP) Scheel and siblings Michael Scheel, Norman Scheel, and Rose Schanzenbach.

Doris is survived by her children LaVonne Sterling Chue (George Chue), Rosemary Sterling, Michael Sterling (Karen Goens); eleven grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Doris is also survived by long-time close friend, Flo Gonzalez. Incredibly, everyone in Doris’ clan lives in the Bellingham area and were able to gather recently together in her memory. Doris will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels or to Whatcom Hospice Foundation.