Doris Mae Wells, 80, of Ormond Beach, Florida, gently passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 after a long fought battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Troy, New York on February 21, 1937 to Daisy and Freeman Gardner. She was an outstanding student and won praise and accolades for her talents in both Art and Writing. As a product of the depression era, she was steadfast and determined not to depend upon the financial support of anyone. After she graduated from Troy High School, she left home and worked hard with diligent studying to graduate from college at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City in 1957 to become a Registered Nurse. Shortly thereafter, she met William Wells and fell deeply in love. They married on June 21, 1958 and their love burned brightly for the duration of their 55 year marriage ending only with her beloved husband’s passing in 2013.
Doris began working as a nurse in New York shortly after graduation and held varied positions including one as Head Nurse at Samaritan Hospital’s ER and a position in the student clinic at Russell Sage College. In any job she held, she was known for being knowledgeable, skilled, dedicated, and compassionate. She and Bill decided to move to Jacksonville, Florida in search of warmer weather and beautiful beaches in 1975 accompanied by their three daughters. She was eventually sought after to become the Head Nurse of the pulmonary unit at Memorial Medical Center where she was known for her contributions in leadership and unwavering standards of excellent patient care. She also contributed to the future of her profession by hiring and mentoring many newly graduated RNs. She demonstrated integrity, strict work ethics, and a warm, caring nature that helped shape many nursing careers. She worked very long hours and eventually, at the behest of her family who wanted to spend more time with her, she moved into utilization review at Memorial and she remained there until she retired.
After retiring, she moved to Ormond Beach with Bill where they could be closer to the beaches and ocean that they loved and here she remained until her death. Doris was completely adored by all that knew her. Her beautiful smile and hearty laughter could warm and brighten the dullest room. She was a faithful and devout Episcopalian who would frequently serve as a deacon at church and sing in the choir. She loved her family, friends, music, nature, animals, and traveling. Doris is survived by her loving daughters, Dana Wells, Rachel Gorenflo (along with her husband of 22 years, Clif), and Nicole Wells, her grandsons, Kevin and Colin White and Ledge and William Gorenflo, and her sister, Dorothy Gleason. A memorial service to celebrate Doris’s life will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Dale Woodward Funeral Home, 1780 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach, Florida 32176. Doris requested that no flowers be sent for her funeral. She told loved ones that she wanted flowers in life, not in death. Therefore, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Halifax Health Hospice – Fund Development, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129 in Doris’ name.

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