Doris Marian Talarico took her last earthly breath at 4:14pm on Friday, March 17, 2023, with her loving daughters by her side, and began her Glorious Heavenly life at that same moment.

Doris was born on October 5th, 1939 to Marian & David Springer.  She attended Herkimer High School, where her signature red ponytail attracted the attention of Ralph R. Talarico, and they quickly became High School Sweethearts.  She was a 1957 graduate of Herkimer High School and then attended the Utica School of Commerce.  She and Ralph were married in Herkimer on July 16, 1960, beginning their lives together, and continued in her heart, even after Ralph’s death on April 14, 1994. He remained her forever love.

Doris’ life was full of love, laughter, hard work, family, friends, community and joy.  She proudly worked for local insurance agencies, beginning w/ the Heidler Agency, followed by the Crocker Agency, and lastly with Day & Reed, until she retired in 2015.  She knew the business inside & out and was always ready to lend a hand.  She was also known to wag her finger once or twice at young drivers who needed a firm, but loving, reminder to follow the rules of the road. Wherever she worked, she added a certain flair by making sure that the office was well-decorated for every holiday and that the candy jar was filled with appropriate goodies!!

She was a lifelong communicant at St. Francis de Sales in Herkimer, where she & Ralph were married and raised their family.  She loved her church & served for years on the Parish Council.  Her many other activities at St. Francis included delivering hundreds of meals during the annual Chicken BBQ (with Ralph), decorating the church every Christmas & Easter, running bake sales, participating in the Angel Tree programs, and helping congregants whenever there was a need.

Doris was a very active member of the Herkimer Garden Club.  Flowers delighted her and she enjoyed the opportunity to bring beauty, not only to her own yard, but also to public spaces in town.  She never complained about hauling water or getting her hands dirty.  She only wanted people to enjoy the beauty that she & her friends in the Garden Club created.  In addition to Garden Club, Doris loved being a “Red-Hatter", for it provided a great amount of fun & laughter in her life.  It was also the perfect excuse to accumulate quite the collection of appropriate & festive outfits.

Doris’ other notable activity was being a member, along with several neighborhood friends, of the HillTop Walkers.  Many miles were walked & many McDonalds ice cream cones were eaten over many years, while everyone’s knees & hips still allowed.

Pre-deceasing Doris, besides her beloved Ralph in 1994, was their infant son, Ralph Jr., in 1964.  Also, family members predeceasing her are her mother and father; her brother, David Springer; Ralph’s parents, Mary & Ralph Talarico; his brother, Frank Talarico (2015); and nephew, Billy Springer (1991).

Many family and friends remain and are already missing her vibrant, loving life, and her ability to light up a room with her smile and infectious personality, but are hoping to carry on her legacy and live out her example by loving others well & selflessly. Her Grandchildren are especially missing her incredible, legendary meatballs (despite not having a drop of Italian blood in her veins) and have yet to think that their mom’s efforts could compare to Grammie’s…but they are working to make her proud.

She leaves behind…

…Her daughters and grandchildren

• Mindy & Philip Johnson (Memphis) and their children, Molly (& Zach) Pennington, Spencer Johnson & Sam Johnson;
• Lisa Talarico (Whitesboro) and her children, Taeler Anderson, Danielle Anderson, Jenna (& Joe) Giglio, and Becky Anderson;
• Cathy & Jerry Wojtowycz (Whitesboro) and their children, Alexa Wojtowycz, Jarrett Wojtowycz & Jacob Wojtowycz,

…Her 7 Great-Grandchildren (and counting)!

…Her beloved sister & brother-in-law, Carolyn & Bill Springer, parents of Billy, and their daughter Allison.  It is worth noting that Doris & Carolyn had a unique way of communicating that did not require words.  It was most evident in public, especially if a Talbots was nearby, and almost always included a cackle…or two…or several.

…Her sister/brother-in-laws, who she loved so well: Diane Talarico, widow of Frank, Ronnie Talarico, and Dennis & Noreen Talarico, plus many nieces & nephews.

…and all of her many friends, near and far.

 Doris' family would to express their sincerest appreciation to the Placid Community of Masonic Pavillion. You have obviously been called to have special hearts to do this work.  Also, we would like to thank all of you for the cards and prayers along this difficult and long journey with our Mom.  Please always remember that ‘To live in the hearts of those you leave is not to die.’  She will continue to be in all of our hearts.

Doris and Ralph began supporting St. Jude's Childrens Hospital in the 1970’s and to honor their love of the work that St. Jude is doing, the family requests that memorials be directed to them at stjude.org or mail to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Her funeral will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:30 from the V.J.Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc 203 Second Ave., Frankfort and at 11:30AM in St. Francis De Sales Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, Pastor. Spring interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday 4-7 at the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc 203 Second Ave Frankfort.

Her funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home.  

Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Doris’ online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com