Longtime resident, accomplished seamstress, gardener, and cook
Doris Bongiardina. (Courtesy photo)
Doris (Schales) Bongiardina, age 85, of Stow, formerly of Harvard, died at home on Sunday, June 5, 2022, with her family by her side. Doris was the loving wife of Joseph Bongiardina for 61 years.
Born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, on May 18, 1937, Doris was the daughter of the late Carl and Anneliese (Van Eick) Schales. Raised and educated in Germany, Doris met Joe while he was serving in the U.S. Army in Wurzburg, Germany. They were married in 1960 and lived in Germany, New York, Indiana, Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Canada. They then settled in Harvard, where they lived for more than 40 years—with an interlude in Brussels, Belgium.
Doris made every home a warm and welcoming place for family and friends. Travel with family and the “Gatsby Group” was a much-enjoyed pleasure for many years and included visits to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. In addition to travel, Doris’ greatest joys in life were centered on her family. She was an accomplished seamstress, gardener, and cook. Doris delighted in sharing meals with family and friends as she blended the best of Germany, Italy, and America.
In addition to her husband, Doris is survived by her children: Richard J. Bongiardina and his wife, Jenn, of Hudson; Christel Conlin and husband Stephen of Bolton; and Darice Myers and husband Walter of Branchville, New Jersey. She is also survived by her sisters: Ursel Weyel of Germany and Elke Garrett of Michigan, as well as her six grandchildren: Nicholas, Alessandra, Kerry, Shawn, Allyson, and Katie. In addition to her parents, Doris was predeceased by her sister Christel and by her son John, who died in 1964.
Family and friends will honor and remember Doris for a period of visitation on Friday, June 10, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton. A celebration of life will take place in the funeral home following the visitation on Saturday, June 11, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Doris’ memory to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To donate in Doris’ name, go to bit.ly/3NFsoUZ.
