Anne A Doerge Obituary

Anne A. Doerge passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Born on August 16, 1937, she was the daughter of David B. Alford and Alice M. Lynes. A lifelong resident of Middleburgh, she graduated from Middleburgh Central School, salutatorian of her class. Right after high school she married and started her dream job, as homemaker and mother. 

Anne did not know idle hands. Beyond the work of housewife and mother to six children, she loved quilting, rug hooking, knitting and sewing. She was an active member of local guilds and used her talents to beautify her home and support community events. 

Anne loved being a part of her community striving to make it better. She was an involved member of the Middleburgh Reformed Church congregation for all of her 86 years, an active member in the Century Club for many years, supported the Middleburgh Historical Society, coordinated with her beloved 1955 class alum for many gatherings, sewed costumes for the Timothy Murphy Playhouse, and was a regular volunteer at the Middleburgh library including library board member. She was involved in bringing the new library on Main Street into a reality and helped establish the Dr. Best House Medical Museum and was its first director. 

She also loved opening her home to bring people together. Whether it was visiting friends or relatives, family reunions, craft gatherings, or fundraisers, she could always be found whipping up something in the kitchen to share at her table. Then sit with her guests with a welcoming smile and good conversation.

Anne is survived by her aunt: Marian Lynes Bouck; three brothers: Jeff (Pam) Alford of Georgia, Rick (Jannene) Alford of Illinois, and Frank (Janet) Alford of Ft. Plain; and her six children: Allen Spencer of Middleburgh, Daniel (Sue) Doerge of Kansas, Chris (Jane) Doerge of North Carolina, Lane (Brenda) Spencer of New Hampshire, Deborah (Jim) Sanger of Texas, and David Doerge of Delanson. She was also blessed with many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Henry Doerge, who passed away in 2017. 

The family would also like to acknowledge with the utmost gratitude two very special people as Anne’s Alzheimer’s disease took its toll; Sue Wood, her exceptional health aide of 7 years, and Cory Moffe of Helios Care. Their invaluable expertise, guidance, and loving care gave Anne an exceptional life to the very end.

Family and friends are invited to visitation from 5–7:00PM on Thursday, January 11, 2023 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River Street, Middleburgh. A Memorial service will be held the next day at 11:00AM on Friday, January 12, 2023 at the Middleburgh Reformed Church. River Street, Middleburgh with a reception afterward.  Spring inurnment will take place in Middleburgh Cemetery.

Donations in Anne’s honor may be made to the Middleburgh Reformed Church, PO Box 112, or the Dr. Best House Medical Museum, PO Box 670, both of Middleburgh, NY 12122.