Doris Natalie Kuebler Leitner of Portsmouth and Mathews, was called home by the Lord on June 22, 2013.
She was born in Roanoke, Va., on June 9, 1924, then she moved to Portsmouth during World War II and worked for the Seaboard Airline Railway. She also worked for Legg, Mason brokerage firm, Merrill Lynch, the Central Fidelity Bank, as an officer and secretary to the C.E.O., and for A.G. Edwards.
For over 50 years, she lived in Portsmouth and was a pioneer in the restoration of Olde Towne. She faithfully gave of her time and talents to benefit the City through many civic activities, including her service to the Portsmouth Historical Society and Hill House, the Olde Towne Civic League, the Portsmouth Commission of Architectural Review, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and to her church, First Presbyterian Church, 515 Court Street.
In 1991, she compiled and published a book “Ghost Stories of Olde Towne” to benefit the Olde Towne Civic League. In later life, she and her husband “Roney” restored a waterman’s house in Mathews and she continued her community service serving as Chaplain of the Cricket Hill Daughters of the American Revolution and volunteering at the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center and Tompkins Cottage. She also enjoyed attending the Mathews Chapel U.M.C., and gatherings with her Red Hat friends.
After she retired, she became a Marriage Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Virginia and delighted in tying the knot for many happy couples. She loved attending Virginia’s Garden Week and sharing her love of old homes with others, including her 1785 historic Olde Towne home where she lived for over 40 years.
She was generous with her love and time throughout her life to family and friends, a beautiful person inside and out, and a gracious hostess to all. She was admired and loved by all those who knew her and leaves us richer in spirit, with many happy memories. Her motto was always faith, family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, William A. “Roney” Leitner. They celebrated their 70th anniversary on May 12, and her 89th birthday on June 9, 2013. She was predeceased by her daughter, Elisabeth Ann Leitner; her parents, Augusta and George Kuebler, and her brothers, George and Robert Kuebler. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Cooke, and brother, Russell Kuebler; step-brothers, Richard Kuebler and Donald Kuebler, and step-sister, Shirley Childress, their families, and the Leitner family who loved her dearly.
A memorial service was held in her honor at the First Presbyterian Church, 515 Court Street, in Portsmouth, Va. at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. The family received friends following the service at the church. The burial was private at Olive Branch Cemetery.
Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel was in charge.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Doris to the charity of your choice. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com