Obituary of Doris Cripps Lufkin

Doris Cripps Lufkin, longtime Abington resident, died suddenly on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Rydal Park Retirement Community in Jenkintown, PA. Born Doris Lillian on March 29, 1919 at her grandmother's home in Philadelphia, she was the only child of Lillian Andrews Larkin Cripps and Howard Schofield Cripps. She is survived by her daughter, Lois Anne Lufkin Peiffer (Bruce) and two sons: Richard Cripps (Ruth) and Robert Walter (Loida). Grandchildren Beth, Tom and Rob Peiffer; Graeme, Alan and Ralph Lufkin; and Ari, Adrienne and Alex Lufkin; and three cherished great-grandsons will all greatly miss their 'Mater.' Doris was predeceased in December 2012 by her deeply loved husband of over 70 years, Walter Joseph Lufkin, Jr. Doris remembered fondly her upbringing in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and the close relationships developed with friends and cousins, especially summer times together at Wildwood and Ocean City, New Jersey. She was a proud graduate of Germantown High School (1936) and then enrolled at Temple University for a secretarial course, and worked as a secretary for seven years. Walt and Doris met in a sample house where they both were friendly with the realtor. They were married in September 1942, a wartime marriage, and lived briefly in Ottumwa, Iowa until the Navy transferred Walt overseas. After the war Doris became a housewife and mother, living first in an apartment in West Oak Lane and then buying a house nearby. During the Korean War they and their family travelled to Anacortes, Washington as Walt once more served the Navy. These trips fueled a lifelong pleasure in camping, road trips, the beach and the outdoors. In 1955 they bought a new home in Abington, establishing an active social life with friends and neighbors which in later years included a number of cruises and trips to Europe. After her children were grown, Doris became an active volunteer for Abington Memorial Hospital, the Abington Presbyterian Church and the Abington Township Public Library. She continued to maintain close relationships with her cousins and enjoyed her 50th high school reunion and family gatherings of many kinds, especially those that involved her grandchildren and great-grandsons. In 1976 Doris and Walt were deeply involved in organizing significant and delightful Bicentennial celebrations both at Abington Presbyterian Church and in their neighborhood. Moving to Rydal Park in 2004, she and Walt continued to enjoy hiking, often with the Philadelphia Trail Club, and swimming at Hatboro YMCA. Doris volunteered for the Rydal Park Library until quite recently, and thoroughly enjoyed hosting family at the Rydal brunches. A keen wordsmith and wide ranging reader, she loved Scrabble, crosswords, cryptograms, jigsaws and other puzzles. Her wide knowledge of movies, film stars and other topics made her a formidable trivia buff. Her family is deeply grateful to the staff, administrators and fellow residents at Rydal Park, especially those in the Personal Care section who provided such companionship and assistance in recent months. A memorial service for Doris Cripps Lufkin will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in the auditorium at Rydal Park, 1515 The Fairway, Rydal, PA 19046. Friends will be received for light refreshments after the service. Burial in the Memorial Garden at Abington Presbyterian Church will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in Doris's name to the Abington Township Public Library, 1030 Old York Rd, Abington, PA 19001.