Doris Pressly, 80, of Naples, FL, passed away on January 28, 2023 when her sweet heart gave out after prolonged illness and a series of operations.

Doris was born on January 05, 1943 to Kurt and Lisbeth Seidel  in Berlin, Germany.  Early photos of her show a one-year old bundled up to evacuate to Poland and later as a toddler helping push a wheelbarrow full of war debris from their neighborhood in Berlin.  After post war struggles involving malnutrition and tuberculosis things returned to "normal" in, thank God, West Berlin where Doris received a good education and graduated from gymnasium in 1961.  She was eager to see the world outside of Berlin and went on to study Languages and Liberal Arts at The West London College of Arts and Commerce in London England.  

In London, Doris blossomed into a beautiful, '60's adult woman.  She worked her way through school as an au pair and coffee shop hostess.   For fun, she would meet her friends at Finches Pub to enjoy London night life.  She loved crewing on a sailing boat that traveled to the continent and North Africa.  In the spring of 1964 having got her languages certification, she landed her first job as an Interpreter and VIP guide for British European Airways.  Later that year while visiting her parents in Berlin, Doris received an offer to work full time in London for British Airways. Upon return to the UK, she was stopped by British Customs, deported back to Germany, and prohibited from returning to the UK for 10 years all because British Airways had failed to provide the proper paperwork to circumvent a rigidly enforced ban on foreign workers.  She was devastated but not defeated going right back to work to support herself in Berlin.

On New Year's Eve 1964 Doris attended a party at the Berlin apartment of a young Army Security Agency Specialist named Albert "Curry" Pressly and they began a love affair that lasted 58years.  Doris and Curry married on December 30, 1965 in Dallas, Texas at the home of Curry's parents Al and Mable Pressly.  They lived in Dallas for two years which was a period of adjustment for Doris.  She was a newlywed in a strange city and, with the birth of her son, Nicholas, a mother!  When they discovered she was going to have a second child, a daughter Nicole, Doris and Curry decided that they preferred the cultural and social life of big cosmopolitan cities and moved to New York City.   She lived in the New York metropolitan area for 50 years dedicating her life to being a fantastic mother while working as a Licensed NYC Guide, Tour Manager and Interpreter until 9/11.  Doris was the force that supported her husband and children whenever they needed her.  After a near fatal heart attack two days before 9/11 and subsequent quadruple bypass surgery, it was Doris' turn to be cared for.  She and Curry retired living in NYC and Naples thereafter.  

Aside from her family, Doris' passions were traveling to maintain ties with relatives and lifelong friends, sports (especially tennis), bridge and games of strategy.  She cared deeply for animals always having at least one poodle, boxer or pug along with many adopted cats.  Doris supported the cause of free education and medicine for all; without which, her life would have been shorter and very different. 

 Doris will be greatly missed and her smile will never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of meeting her.  

Doris is survived in America by her husband Curry, her son Nicholas Pressly and daughter-in-law Victoria Talbot Pressly, her daughter Nicole Pressly Wolf and son-in-law Benjamin Wolf.  Grandchildren are Kurt, Amanda and Joseph Pressly, and Sashi and Tenzin Wolf.  In  Germany by her dear older brother Dieter Seidel and sister-in-law Monika Seidel, nieces Stephanie and Tania, and grand niece Larissa and grand nephew Sasha as well as many more cousins she enjoyed keeping in touch with.

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate a contribution to Doris' favorite charities; The Smile Train, The Humane Society of Naples, Doctors Without Borders.  Also, please consider a donation to Avow Hospice where Doris was treated with dignity, respect and love during her last days on earth.

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