Doris E. Holmes, age 98, a resident of Wheaton since 1945, died at home on Thursday, January 4. She was born on July 2, 1908 on a farm near Hoopston, Illinois to Arthur and Laura Thorne.

When she was a teenager she lost both her parents and cared for her younger siblings. Throughout her life she continued to care for others, professionally as a nurse and in her personal life. Doris graduated from Cook County Hospital's 4 year nursing program and continued on to complete her Master's Degree in Ward Administration. During this time she also supported her sister Margaurite "Marge" and helped put her through nursing school. She was the first volunteer school nurse at St. Michael's School in Wheaton, where she served for eight years. In 1960 she started working at Community Hospital in Geneva and worked as a floor supervisor until her 70th birthday in 1978.

She was an active member of St. Michael Parish, where she chaired many activities, including many fund raising events. In recent years her hobby was hand-stitching baby blankets as gifts for friends and for the needy. Many of these were sent to South American orphanages.

Doris is survived by four children, Joanne (Joseph) Maurer of Wheaton, George "Buddy" (Barbara "Bunny") Holmes of West Chicago, Sally Thomas of Wheaton, and Linda (Lewis) Morgan of Wheaton, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one brother, Arthur "Buck" Thorne of Wheaton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bud Thorne and sister, Marge Dyl.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Church, Illinois and West St. in Wheaton. Friends may visit with the family from 10 until 11 a.m. at the church.

Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to CNS Hospice, 690 E. North Ave., Carol Stream, IL 60188.