Sally Rosemary Doerner

Sally Rosemary Doerner died on March 26, 2025, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone,

North Carolina, after a brief illness.  She was 73.

Sally was born in Washington, D.C., to Fred W. and Rosemary G. Doerner.  The family

moved to Miami, Florida, in 1962, her mother’s hometown.  Sally was a proud graduate

of Miami Palmetto Senior High in 1969. After receiving a degree in English Lit from

Boston University, Sally went on to law school at the University of Miami.

She practiced Immigration Law in her early career and went on to work for the federal

government at the Southern District Court of Florida in Miami as a Pro Se attorney. 

Toward the end of her career, Sally moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to be closer to

her sister, Mary Lou Cramer, and her family and work in the U.S. District Court for the

Eastern District of Virginia. 

A short time following her retirement in 2019, Sally moved to Blowing Rock, North

Carolina, to enjoy quiet mountain life.  

Sally enjoyed traveling, good books, watching football - especially her beloved Miami

Dolphins, doing the NY Times crossword puzzles in ink, and lively conversations over

great meals with friends and family. She was an animal lover and devoted Dog Mom to

Baxter the Bichon, who enjoyed a charmed life to the ripe old age of 18 ½.

In addition to her sister, Sally is survived by nieces Bevin Holmberg and Abigail Matako,

great-grand nieces Bera and Rowan, great-grand nephews Strider and Kai, and beloved

cousins. Her sister wishes to express her deepest gratitude to best-ever neighbors Mike

and Greg and special friend, Noah, for their kindness to Sally.  

A service at Forest Hills Memorial in Palm City, Florida, will be held at a future date.  For

those so moved, donations in Sally’s name to the Watauga County Humane Society are

suggested.

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhom.com

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Doerner family.

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