Obituary: Doris LaVaughn Droneburg

Doris LaVaughn (Arnold) Droneburg, 91, of Winter Park, formally of Frederick, Md., passed away on March 25, 2016, peacefully at home. Beloved daughter of Howard Bartlett Arnold and Ruth Evelyn (Coulter) and stepfather Glenn H. Favorite, Doris was born in a modest bungalow in Yarrowsburg, Md., on Nov. 21, 1924. She grew up in Frederick, Md., along with her brother Kenneth Aubrey Arnold. She married Carl William “Bill” Droneburg in 1947; they were married for 50 years.

Doris lived a humble life of service. At the onset of World War II, she volunteered as a candy-striper during her teenage years and studied nursing. She tirelessly worked as a volunteer Sunday School teacher and superintendent for the Church of the Brethren Kindergarten 4s-5s, as well as the American Cancer Society, Thomas Johnson High School, and Parent-Teacher Association, in Frederick, Md. Doris was active in the church’s Women’s Quilting Circle and prepared for the Holy Communion Service and Love Feast at the Church of the Brethren in Maryland. She also volunteered as a Sunday School teacher in Orlando and the Academy of Dance in Winter Park. She touched countless lives over her lifetime.

Doris was a devoted wife and mother. She helped her husband to build their first home in Frederick, Md. As a homemaker, she and Bill raised their daughters Donna and Sharon in Frederick and Orlando. Starting in 1971, Doris worked as the bookkeeper and business manager for her husband’s stone and masonry business in Orlando and Winter Park. Doris was a talented baker and cook; she made delicious meals, not just on holidays, but also on average Tuesday nights. Doris crocheted gorgeous afghan blankets, hats, and scarves for her family and friends.

Married 50 years to Carl William Droneburg, she was widowed in 1997. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Donna Plaisted of North Carolina and Sharon Body of Winter Park; four granddaughters Sarah Calderone of Massachusetts, Amanda Hoaglen of Florida, Elizabeth Plaisted and Laura Plaisted of North Carolina; two grandsons Ronald and James Plaisted of North Carolina; six great-grandchildren - Nathaniel of Florida, and Christian, Addison, Gavin, Micah, and Brooklyn of North Carolina. Other family includes Bucky, Bobby, Jerry, and Kenny Coulter, Joan Etzler, Nona McCauley, Bruce Cronise, and Patsy, Connie, and Cathie Coulter. Life-long friends Pauline Grossnickle and Francis Pometto will miss her dearly.

Doris was an avid animal lover. She often adopted stray cats, dogs, and birds. Beloved pets over her lifetime included: Dinky, Spotty, Sandy, Pixy, Tammy, Casper, Cindy, Pierre, Brandy, Charlie, Sparky, Scotty, Lady, Reggie, Smokey, and Dolly.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Howard Arnold, mother Ruth Favorite, stepfather Glenn Favorite, brother Aubrey Arnold and his wife Dorothy, in Maryland, Elizabeth “Libby” Cronise of Virginia, and many others that she adored.

Doris was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with her daughter Sharon and two granddaughters over the last 26 years. In the celebration of her life, Fr. Richard Walsh of St. Margaret Mary will officiate the Funeral Mass. Doris will be buried at Glen Haven Cemetery in Winter Park next to her husband, Bill, and mother Ruth and stepfather Glenn.

Doris was a survivor of the Great Depression. To honor all of those who have been hungry, the family asks that you bring a dry grocery food item to donate to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry. Donations should be brought to the evening viewing or donated directly to the pantry.