Juanita Ernestine Doering's Obituary
Juanita Ernestine Doering (Nita) died suddenly and unexpectedly at her Miami home on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. She was 74 years old. Born in Montgomery, AL to Juanita and Ernest Doering, she lived much of her life in Miami.
After graduating from Miami Senior High School, Nita enlisted in the US Navy. She trained as a Hospital Corpsman and served with pride and dignity, caring primarily for the sick and injured returning from Vietnam. Following her discharge, she enrolled at Miami-Dade College to study nursing. She specialized in psychiatric nursing until her retirement.
Suffering from disabling spinal stenosis, Nita became a patient at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center’s Spinal Cord Unit. There she found a dedicated group of health care professionals who became caring and supportive friends. In a short time, she became very active in the local chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Soon her involvement with these other veterans provided a strong support group and special friendships. The PVA gave her the opportunity to participate in activities such as deep-sea fishing, bocce ball, barbeques, and holiday events. Nita’s knowledge of old movies and television was encyclopedic, and she cherished watching reruns of Gunsmoke.
She was preceded in death by her parents Juanita and Ernest and by her brother Ernie. She is survived by her brother Paul, sister in law Cheryl, nephew Chris, nieces Tracy (husband Mark) and Jennifer, grandniece Taylor, and grandnephew, Tyson. She is also survived by her dear friend and care taker Mildrid “Mimi” Cerenus and several cousins.
There will be a private family service to celebrate her life. Those who wish to do so can donate to the Florida chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America at: Miami VAMC 1201 N.W. 16th St., Rm 1C139, Miami, FL, 33125, in Juanita’s memory.
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