Obituary of Doris Elizabeth Baron

Grand Isle, VT

Doris Elizabeth Baron

On a beautiful bluebird day, with views of her favorite lake, our dear Mother and friend, Doris (Mayfarth) Baron concluded her journey with us.  Doris, 94, passed peacefully on March 19, 2018. She was born February 11, 1924 to Walter and Helen (Halladay) Mayfarth in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Ridgewood, NJ as a young child.  Upon graduation from Ridgewood High School, Doris attended John Hopkins University and Florida Southern where she received degrees in biology and nursing.  During WWII, she was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp and was stationed stateside caring for soldiers returning from the European Theater.  In 1954 Doris married Alexander W. Baron and remained his loving companion for 36 years until his passing.

Doris taught ob/gyn nursing at Keene State, Mary Fletcher School of Nursing, expanding her responsibilities to include nursing coordination at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts.  She lead lamaze classes for many nervous new moms-to-be and enjoyed her time with young people as a summer camp nurse at Mt Norris Scout Reservation in Eden, VT.  Earning a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from St. Michael’s College in 1986, she served in nursing administration at what is now the University of Vermont Medical Center Hospital, where she was instrumental in establishing the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the now UVM Medical Center. Doris was also a charter member and held national leadership positions in The Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Her first love was for family and friends.  She was always there to lend an ear and help anyone in any circumstance. Up until the age of 92, she enjoyed volunteering for CIDER, driving her many friends to their various appointments.  For fun, Doris enjoyed traveling and exploring new places, playing bridge, knitting, needlepoint, and painting.

Doris was proud to be a long serving member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  She enjoyed the friendships which formed from her affiliation with this organization and served as the Chapter 73 secretary for many years.

Doris was predeceased by her husband, Al in 1990, her parents, a sister Marjorie (Mayfarth) Gysbers, daughter-in-law Deborah (Lane) Baron, several brothers and sisters-in-law, and a nephew Anthony Baron. 

She leaves behind a brother Donald Mayfarth of Oregon, her son William and his partner Mitzi Johnson of Vermont, a daughter Joan (Baron) Flink of Massachusetts,  grandchildren Robert (& wife Christa) of Pennsylvania, Katherine (& partner George) of Florida, Leanne & Trevor of Massachusetts and great-grandchildren Jared, Cassandra, Ethan, Justin, and Gerald, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.  Doris also leaves many friends, especially Judy Duval, Sandra Green, Karen McCloud, Bob and Leslie Desrosiers, Ron Schutz and her many caring neighbors at Westside Village.   

As per Doris’ request, there will be no calling hours.  An Eastern Star celebration of her life will be held during the spring.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Mt. Norris Scout Reservation Alumni Association (MNSRAA, Inc), ℅ Mr. Kevin Macy, 113 Center RD, Essex Junction, VT 05452 or Grand Isle Rescue, P.O. Box 79, Grand Isle, VT 05458.