Doris Touhill Colehower Barger, 98, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025. She was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Philadelphia, the beloved daughter of Rollin Sharps Touhill and Mary Estelle Touhill of Maple Hall in Merion, Pa.
Her life was rich in tradition, service and joy, centered around the people and places she cherished most. She especially loved Cape May, N.J., where she served as Queen Maysea X and spent a lifetime of summers, eventually making it her full-time residence.
Her home on New Jersey Avenue was filled with pictures, cards and collectibles depicting her life in Cape May.
She was an Episcopalian and a dedicated member of the Cape May Garden Club, the Red Hat Society, the Questers, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May and the Beach Club of Cape May.
Doris was a graduate of Lower Merion High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania. She went on to serve with distinction as assistant to the Dean of Women at her alma mater.
Her poise, intelligence, and gracious spirit made a lasting impact on those around her, and she was honored with a front-page article about her in the Daily Pennsylvanian when she retired.
A vibrant and devoted matriarch, Doris led the Colehower and Barger families with love, wit, and unwavering strength.
Doris is survived by her three children: John Harris Colehower, Virginia Rollin Colehower Hodges and Doris Manette Colehower Hansen; daughter-in-law Susan Brown Colehower and son-in-law Richard G. Hodges.
She was a loving grandmother to William Harris Colehower, Catherine Georgia Colehower, Carter Rollin Colehower, Richard Harris Hodges (Megan Bauer), Shelley Hodges Kruszewski (Pawel L. Kruszewski), Melinda Bambi Hansen Thompson (Eric Thompson), Kristofer A. Hansen (Laura B. Hansen), Heidi K. Hansen and Erik L. Hansen (Jillian C. Hansen).
She is also survived by her cherished great-grandchildren: Harris R. Hodges, Chloe R. Thompson, Isabel C. Hansen, Ethan C. Hansen, Armaan Hansen Chopra, McKenna C. Hansen, Finn O. Hansen and Reiss S. Hansen.
Doris leaves behind her sister-in-law, Jessie Colehower Somers, her niece, Katherine Somers Miller (Todd E. Miller) and their children Kaia J. Miller and Quincy J. Miller.
She was also stepmother to Geoffrey Ross Barger (Theresa Ann Liska) and lovingly welcomed his children, Jason Ross Barger and Jennifer L. Barger Lin (Jimmy Y. Lin) and their recently born daughter, Audrey Janet Lin, into her family.
Doris was predeceased by her first husband, Conrad Harris Colehower Jr., and her second husband, Sidney Ross Barger.
A memorial service will be held in Cape May this fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Cape May MAC (Museums+ Arts+Culture) at capemaymac.org. Use links to “Donate” followed by “Cape May Lighthouse.”
Doris will be remembered for her boundless generosity, grace, and the deep love she gave to her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
