Doris Ann Forsberg (Heidgerd) was born Sept. 25, 1925 in Bridgeport, Conn., the only child of Anna Ohrmann and William Forsberg originally of Brevens Bruk, Småland, Sweden. She was 88.
Doris departed peacefully on Oct. 19, the day of her 67th wedding anniversary, on a final note that is resonant with romance, style and grace.
Doris displayed a natural skill at the piano at a young age accompanying her family at their Swedish sing-alongs. Her early school and community musical accomplishments earned her enrollment in the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City where she studied under the nationally-recognized Katherine Bacon and graduated in 1946.
There she met and roomed with her future sister-in-law, Audrey, who in a stroke of matchmaking finesse, introduced Doris to her brother, Everett T. Heidgerd, who was home in New York on shore leave from the Navy. Everett arrived in his Naval uniform and Doris was swept away. It was Doris’ night to cook and he was hooked. They were married Oct. 19, 1946 shortly after he finished his service in the Navy, and settled and raised their family in Monsey, N.Y. They later lived in Old Lyme, Conn. and spent the last 23 years of their lives together in Damariscotta and Kennebunk.
Doris taught piano from her home for more than four decades and hosted seasonal recitals of her students’ progress. Many a performance anxiety was soothed with her trays of crustless sandwiches and squares of delicious sour cream coffee cake. She shared with everyone her love of music and brought this love to everything she did.
She was predeceased by sisters-in-law, Edna Heidgerd and Audrey Connor; and husband in 2008.
Since 2008 Doris lived in Hingham, Mass.
Doris was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Heidgerd, wife Barbara and children Ashlee and Zachary of Rowley, Mass., Christine Pucillo, husband Tony and children Anthony, Gregory and Sarah of Hull, Mass., and Jane Garrick, husband Larry of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; and brother-in-law, Lloyd H. Heidgerd of Concord, N.H.
A private memorial service will be held at The Unitarian Universalist Old Ship Church in Hingham at a later date.
Remembrances in Doris’ honor may be made to The Old Ship Church, 107 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043.
