Doris M. Sauerman Lawler, 93, St. Marys, a businesswoman, philanthropist, community supporter, mother and friend, passed away on the evening of Dec. 8, 2014, at Kettering Medical Center.

She was born in Dayton to Irvin H. and Marie Hirsch Sauerman. In 1947, she married Ned E. Lawler, who is deceased.

Surviving are a brother, Ralph I. (Neva) Sauerman, Greenville; three sons, Ned J. (Kathy) Lawler, St. Marys, the Rev. Kevin J. (Patricia) Lawler, Kettering, and Bruce D. (Lisa) Lawler, Nantucket, Mass.; a grandson, Sean (Kataiy) Leibrock; a great-grandson, Foster Jordan Leibrock; two nephews, Richard I. (Jodine) Sauerman and Ted E. (Lola) Sauerman, all of Lewisburg; and a niece, Christine L. (Charles) Smith, Clarksville, Tenn.

She attended The Ohio State University and graduated in 1942 with a degree in home economics. Her career started as the executive assistant manager of the restaurants at the Rike–Kulmer store in downtown Dayton. She also taught home economics in the Dayton area.

She moved to St. Marys after her marriage, and with her husband and mother-in-law, Edith, grew Lawler's Flowers and Greenhouses into a well-respected business serving western Ohio.

In her business career, she was active in the Florist Transworld Delivery organization and the Ohio Florist Association and served in several officer capacities in both. Her ability to provide floral products that well represented her clients was a great source of pride for her. She would smile when she recalled providing wedding flowers for brides, their daughters and granddaughters during her six decades in business.

After the death of Edith Lawler in 1961, she was asked to fill her seat on the board of the St. Marys Community Library. She continued that service for more than 50 years to become the first board member emeritus in 2013.

In 1981, she was the moving force behind the plans to build the current library building and move it from the flood-prone basement of the city building. She also was active in the building's expansion project in 2002. Her favorite part of the library was the local history room, which she sponsored.

For her passionate and lengthy service to the library she was honored with the Trustee Award of Achievement from the Ohio Library Council in 2005.

She served on the board of the Joint Township Hospital Foundation and provided her expertise and donations for the betterment of the hospital.

She was a member of the St. Marys Soroptimist Club and the St. Marys Rotary Club, having served in several capacities. She was designated a Rotary International Foundation Paul Harris Fellow for her support.

Her work with the Rotary Club included being a founding member of the Rotary Literacy Committee, which began in 1998 and works with the schools to provide resources for students and teachers to promote reading proficiency.

She and her husband strongly supported education and, through the St. Marys Community Foundation, have provided an ongoing yearly scholarship for local graduates.

She also was a member of the Shakespeare Club for more than 50 years.

She practiced her faith at Zion Lutheran Church, St. Marys, where she was elected the first woman president of the congregation. She was an active member of the Women of the Church organization. Her special mission was to ensure the church was always beautifully decorated with flowers for special holiday services.

In 2003, she was honored with the "Builder of Bridges" award for her notable contributions to the community.

She had a great love of travel and had visited Australia, Russia and most of the European countries. Always a staunch supporter of the Sister Cities program, she had hosted several visitors and traveled to Hokudan-cho, now part of Awaji City, with the St. Marys delegation.

Her consistent approach to all her affairs was to do the right thing and do it right. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and she was always a welcome addition to any organization.

Throughout her life she reached out to help individuals and groups with worthy projects and would lend her time, talent and funds.

Services are 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church, St. Marys, the Rev. Bill Maki officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, High Street chapel, St. Marys.

Condolences may be sent to www.millerfuneralhomes.net.