Doris Cabanillas

Doris Elizabeth Minter Cabanillas, age 101, died peacefully March 24, 2008, at her home in Chesterfield, VA. She was born September 13, 1906, at home on Hermitage Road in Lakeside, VA, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Lockhart Minter and William Franklin Minter. She was the last of her siblings who predeceased her: Edward H. Minter, Marian Minter Halbert, Jacque Minter Shuman, and Mary Winn Minter Burton. Her beloved husband of 52
years, Jose' Manuel Cabanillas, RADM USN, Ret., died in 1979. Doris is survived by their three children, Sunta Cabanillas Rosapepe, Jose' Clemente Cabanillas II and his wife, Dorothy; and Franklyn Minter Cabanillas and his wife, Martha. She has twelve grandchildren: Jose' Attilio Rosapepe, John Vincent Rosapepe, Jay Franklin Rosapepe, Dora Ann Elizabeth Rosapepe, Jose Clemente Cabanillas III, Stephen William Cabanillas, Christina Maria Cabanillas Carmickle, Clayton Wade Cabanillas, Kathryn Elizabeth Cabanillas Tillery, Judith Cabanillas Bell, and Jay Franklyn Cabanillas and Jacque Jones Williams. Her niece, Katherine Whitner Dieterich, became part of Doris' family during WWII. Doris has fifteen great grandchildren. She leaves extended family members in the United States and Puerto Rico. She treasured the love and friendship of her sister-in-law, Irma Cabanillas Rodriguez, of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was a loving wife, a caring mother and a special friend. Doris responded to a variety of names from her family and friends: "Presh", "Grandma", "Amma", etc.

Doris embraced life. She enjoyed traveling to the different locations where
her husband was stationed, as well as trips to other parts of the world, Egypt and China were special destinations. Doris was an accomplished classical pianist who continued studying whenever possible to improve her technique. Her reading selections were eclectic. Until recently, she averaged a book a day. Doris was a superb cook who enjoyed entertaining. She treasured the handwritten recipe books from her mother and her sister Marian. Over the years, she shared many of her famous pickles. Her favorite outdoor occupation was "pulling weeds". Doris was a wonderful story teller. Tales about events and adventures in her life were frequent subjects. Her granddaughter, Dora Rosapepe, had been a caring presence for her beloved grandmother during the past months. Doris' family is most grateful for the loving care from her neighbor, Lisa Baird, RN, and from Doris' doctor and his nurse, and the staff of Hospice of Virginia. Precious, we will miss you. ILY, Sunta. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when family members, friends and neighbors can gather at the home site. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens' Horticultural Fund, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA
23228. Arrangements are being conducted by the J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Chesterfield, where condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com