Doris D. Richards

Doris D. (Desroche) Richards, 99, of Sterling, formerly of Gardner, died peacefully, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Sterling Village, Sterling, after an illness.

Born in Standish, Maine on December 10, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Pius and Alice (Boudreau) Desroche. Doris was a Gift Shop Clerk employed by the Olde Mill of Westminster for 25-years until her retirement in 2008. She was previously the owner and operator of LA&D Lunch and Variety in Gardner for several years.

Doris was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish/ Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner where she was a former member of its Ladies of St. Anne Society. She was a former member of the Emblem Club. She enjoyed playing BINGO, going to Foxwoods, travelling, watching television, playing word games and working on jigsaw puzzles. Doris loved her family and cherished all the times spent with them.

Doris is survived by her two daughters, Suzanne T. Roy, and Judith R. Richards; two sons, Paul R. Richards and his wife Kathleen, and Philip P. Richards and his wife Deborah; seven grandchildren, Timothy Roy and his wife Danielle, Stephanie Lamprey and her husband Jed, Jamie Richards, Thomas Roy and his wife Leanne, Alison Dickson and her husband Christopher, Elizabeth Stagnone and her husband Matthew and Kaitlyn Lucier; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband of 48-years, Leo A. Richards, who died in 1995; four sisters, Theresa Desroche, Alice Thibeault, Marie Eliason and Rita Berube.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heywood Commons for the compassionate care of Doris during the 8 years that she was a resident.  Also, the family would like to thank the staff at Sterling Village for their support and care of their Mother during a very difficult time, including the professional staff from Trinity Hospice Care. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 18, 2021, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA.

A Calling Hour will be private.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Doris D. Richards.