Dorris Belknap

MADISON- Dorris Kemmerer Belknap, age 90, died on February 16, 2015 at Hebron Oaks, Oakwood Village West in Madison, Wisconsin. She was born in Palmerton, PA on Halloween in 1924. A graduate of Oberlin College in 1946, she taught school for several years before and after meeting and marrying Elston L. Belknap, Jr. when he was a medical student. She devoted many years to taking care of their family, occasionally substituting in her husband's Madison medical office. She particularly enjoyed reading, gardening, camping, sewing her own clothes, knitting, and bird watching, as well as discussion groups with her friends. She was her husband's full time office manager the last 6 or 7 years of his practice. She loved helping his patients and making life easier for him in the office. Dorris and Tony got along well; they always said he was the boss at the office and she was the boss at home. She took great pleasure in planting and nurturing a shady wildflower garden as well a plentiful vegetable garden. For several years she was active in the PLATO organization. A special delight was singing for 30 years with the Madison Symphony Chorus. She is predeceased by her husband of 54.5 years Elston L. Belknap Jr. MD (Tony), her brother John Kemmerer and her parents Leroy and Lillian Kemmerer. Dorris is survived by daughter Frances (Julian Lo) and son David (Sara Bell), four grandchildren: Ben Belknap (wife Sara), Katie Belknap (Solomon), Emma Lo and Phoebe Lo, great granddaughter Corina Belknap, and sister Jane MacDowell. Visitation will be held at the Oakwood Village, University Woods at Resurrection Chapel, 6201 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705 at 10am, Thursday, February 19th, followed by a memorial service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Madison Symphony Chorus at https://www.madisonsymphony.org/donate.

Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406