Doris Jean Wilhelm

Doris Jean Wilhelm, born Doris Jean Campbell, in Brooklyn, NY, passed away May 10, 2012 in Albuquerque, after many years of loving next-door care from her son, Jim, and his wife Nina. 

Doris was a long time resident of White Rock, NM after arriving to Los Alamos, NM as a young person during Manhattan Project times. She worked for many years as an administrative clerk for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, while building a first generation of New Mexico born Wilhelm's alongside her husband and sister-in-law, Irene, also New York transplants to the Southwest. 

Doris, “Nana”, was most well known for her love of socialization. After losing her husband before retirement began, Doris filled her home with friends, family, and many a beloved dog. Often she introduced herself as an “old Brooklyn broad”; a heed to her sarcastic nature and witty sense of humor. If the garage door was open, so was her home- all were welcome to a seat at the kitchen table where Doris would offer hot cocoa, or a Hot Toddy to anyone who was daring enough. Often she doted an apron, usually cooking a large batch of something to share, often German brauts and sauerkraut, New York-style spaghetti and sausage, or split-pea soup. Wearing orange on St. Patrick's Day, serving black-eyed peas on New Year's Eve, and a good fondue party were favorite ways she celebrated. Doris' love could be "tough-love" and she wasn't afraid of speak her mind, traits that made her both endearing and difficult, and beautifully unique.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Wilhelm and sister, Jane Florence King. 

Doris is survived by sons: Jim Wilhelm (Nina) of Albuquerque, and Rick Wilhelm (Maura) of Aurora, Co; daughter, Patti Pope of Los Alamos; grandchildren: Paul James Wilhelm (Jamie), Kevin Glenn Wilhelm (Lore), Krista Wilhelm and Amber Raye Pope; and sister, Marjorie Thornton; sister-in-law, Irene Paine and numerous nieces and nephews, and great-grandchildren, and a host of friends. 

A Graveside Service was held on May 16, 2012 at The Santa Fe National Cemetery, where she is buried next to her husband. Thank you to her niece and husband, Tim and Kellie Rivera, for their assistance at this time, and her grandson, Kevin, for his devotion at her end of life.