Doris Free MacKellar Gressitt

February 12, 1923 – December 4, 2018

Doris Free MacKellar Gressitt, of Purcellville, Va. died Dec. 4, 2018 in Leesburg,Va. She was born on Feb. 12, 1923 in Philadelphia, Penn. to the late William Alan MacKellar and Mary Stewart Speers.

A 1941 graduate of Lower Merion High School, Doris studied voice at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory under Dr. Joseph Barone. After raising a family she resumed vocal studies under Saramae Hannon in Charleston, S.C. and later at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. under David Murray.

She married John Gressitt on May 18, 1946 at the Memorial Church of St. Paul in Philadelphia, Penn. Always active in church, she authored an Altar Guild manual while at the Church of the Holy Communion in Charleston, S.C. She enjoyed historical research, engaging in church history projects and genealogy. She was a longtime associate of the Community of the Holy Spirit (New York City), Daughters of the American Revolution, Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library, Clan Campbell USA, Clan Sinclair and the Southwest Washington State Branch of the Scottish Country Dancers USA.

She is survived by her daughter Alexandra S. Gressitt of Purcellville, Va., granddaughter Carina A. Gressitt of Vermont and daughter-in-law Gail M. Chase of Maine. Predeceasing her were her husband John Gressitt, son Stevan E. Gressitt M.D., sister Mabel Stewart MacKellar and brother-in law Francis G. Cain Jr.

A private graveside will be held at Historic Christ Church, Weems, Va.

Donations may be made to the Washington Talking Books and Braille Library, 2021 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121; to Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library, P.O. Box 2272, Battle Ground, WA 98604, or a charity of your choice.