WATERTOWN — It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mrs. Doris Mary (Viel) Karcher, age 96, shares the news of her peaceful passing on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Southington Care Center with her family by her side. She was the beloved widow of Mr. Robert Karcher.

Doris was born on April 24, 1930, in Stockholm, Maine, the beloved daughter of the late Isadore and Delina (Theriault) Viel. Doris grew up in Van Buren, Maine. She moved to Watertown, Connecticut, where she met her husband Bob, who was the love of her life. After years as a homemaker raising her family, she worked at The Siemon Company in Watertown for nearly 20 years before retiring. As a parishioner of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Oakville, Doris found joy and solace in her faith. She enjoyed hosting many family gatherings during the holidays. Doris also cherished the moments spent crocheting, gardening, listening to music, winning at bingo, and playing card games. Most of all, she enjoyed visits from her family, and traveling to Maine to spend time with her siblings and old friends.

Doris was blessed to have a long life and will be remembered for her youthful appearance and active lifestyle. She didn’t get her driver’s license until she was 40 years old, but was driving her car around town until the age of 94. She loved to go out shopping and would meet up with her friends to play their weekly bingo games at the Watertown Senior Center. She was able to live independently in her own home for more 60 years until last summer, when she moved to The Village of Kensington, an assisted living facility. Most recently, she resided at Southington Care Center under hospice care. The family is so thankful for the wonderful care and support provided to her from the staff at both of these facilities. As we mourn her passing, we find comfort in the cherished memories. May she rest in the arms of our loving Savior.

Left to honor her memory and cherish her legacy is her daughter; Sandra (Karcher) Boisvert and her husband Donald of Vero Beach, Florida, her sons; Kurt Karcher and his wife Lauren of Oxford and Robert Karcher of Bethlehem, her grandchildren; James and his wife Justine Boisvert, Michelle (Boisvert) and her husband Charles Saunders, Kristen (Karcher) and her husband Matthew Stash, Stephanie Karcher, Nicole (Boisvert) and her husband Timothy Krupski, Bobby Karcher and fiancé Shelby Birch, and John Karcher. She was also blessed with many great grandchildren; Ellie, Peter, Anthony, and James Boisvert; Emily, Joshua, Ryan, and Oliver Saunders; Jackson and Cecelia Krupski; and Maddox Karcher. Doris also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Besides her husband and parents, Doris was predeceased by her six sisters; Edwina Peters, Alphina Erickson, Helena Raymond, Rose Peters, Bella Michaud, and Pearl Rowland, as well as her two brothers; Edmund Viel and Milton Viel.

Funeral services for Mrs. Karcher will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Casey-O'Neill Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 742 Main St, Oakville, CT 06779. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit Doris’ family from 11:00 a.m. until the prayer service commences at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow immediately at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to The American Cancer Society. In this time of reflection, the family welcomes all who knew and loved Doris to share messages of condolence, comfort, and cherished memories. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to connect with the family or honor their loved one’s memory with gifts of condolence.