Doris A. (Forsberg) Heidgerd

Doris Ann (Forsberg) Heidgerd was born September 25, 1925 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the only child of Anna Ohrmann and William Forsberg originally of Brevens Bruk, Småland, Sweden.  She was 88.  

Doris displayed a natural skill at the piano at a young age accompanying her family at their Swedish singalongs. 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 October 19, 1946 shortly after he finished his service in the Navy, and settled and raised their family in Monsey, New York.  They later lived in Old Lyme, Connecticut and spent the last 23 years of their lives together in Damariscotta and Kennebunk, Maine.  She was predeceased by her sisters-in-laws Edna Heidgerd and Audrey Connor in 2005 and her husband in 2008.  Since 2008 Doris lived in Hingham, Massachusetts.

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.  

Doris was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She is survived by her three children; Thomas Heidgerd and his wife Barbara and their children Ashlee and Zachary of Rowley, MA; Christine Pucillo and her husband Tony and their children Anthony, Gregory and Sarah of Hull, MA;  Jane Garrick and her husband Larry of Rhinebeck, NY; and her brother-in-law Lloyd H. Heidgerd of Concord, New Hampshire.

Doris departed peacefully on October 19th, 2013, the day of her 67th wedding anniversary, on a final note that is resonant with romance, style and grace.  

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 at 107 Main Street in Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043.