Doris Ruth Sebul's Obituary
Doris Ruth Sebul (nee- Durkot), 87, of Fort Myers, formerly of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away Friday, August 7, 2020. A beautiful life was taken tragically when she tested positive for Covid-19 two days after her birthday. She suffered for 23 days before finally succumbing to the illness.
She was born July 14, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in North Royalton, Ohio for many years and moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 1977. After all of her children moved out, she and her husband, Richard moved to Punta Gorda. Together, they renovated a vacation home in Madisonville, Tennessee where they made many wonderful memories with their children and with her sister, Pat and family. Shortly before her husband’s death, they moved to Burnt Store Marina. Doris lived there many years before moving into an assisted living facility last year.
Doris was a strong woman for her time and while raising her five children decided to go back to college to complete her degree. The former high school valedictorian graduated with honors and became an elementary school teacher and taught primarily second grade. She touched so many lives throughout nearly 50 years of teaching, even inspiring some to pursue a career in elementary education. She retired from Lee County Schools, twice. The first time was prior to her husband’s death. They had hoped to enjoy retirement together. When he died, she returned to teaching again and later retired but continued substituting until she was 84.
Doris will be remembered for her generosity, caring heart, wonderful smile, and long, warm hugs. Doris loved family get-togethers and always provided more than enough food, including plenty of sweets and coffee. She also loved sending and receiving cards for every occasion. Although she was raised catholic, Doris and Richard attended McGregor Baptist for a brief time before his death. Most recently, Doris was a member of the First Assembly of God. No matter what church she attended, her belief in God never wavered.
She is survived by her five children, Richard, Robert, Carolyn (Thomas Gressman), Catherine (Daniel Cute), and Cynthia. She was blessed to have 13 grandchildren; Craig, Christina, Michael, Amanda, Patrick, Sara, Kimberly, Kaitlin, Jonathan, Ellie, Alex, Nicolas, and Lucas. And also five great-grandchildren; Brittany, Charles, McKenzie, Jackson, and Lily. She has one
living brother-in-law, Daniel Sebulsky, and will be forever remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her parents, Michael and Theresa Durkot, and her three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Jean and Eugene Terschak, Patricia and James Melhuish, and Jayne Gramp. Also preceded in death are her husband’s parents: Peter and Mildred Sebulsky and her husband’s sister and husband: Irene and Frank Guzzy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Doris Ruth Sebul are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.act.Alz.org).
Doris last saw her family through a window on her birthday. It is tragic that she died without family around her, without familiar voices, without hugs. No one should die this way. So when you think of Mom/Grandma/Aunt Doris/Mrs. Sebul please let her inspire you to do your part to end this pandemic.
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers that took care of Doris during her final days. You truly are our heroes and we thank you for being with her and being our voices.
A memorial service is planned for a future date when we can be together in person to celebrate Doris’s life.
Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery (https://www.fortmyersmemorial.com/) is entrusted with final care.
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