Tara E. Doll 1976-2025

She was born Jan. 19, 1976, in Youngstown, daughter of Charles “Chuck” and Joyce Hart Doll, and lived most of her life in East Palestine.

She was a member of the former Grace Lutheran Church.

Tara graduated from the Robert Bycroft School and attended the sheltered workshop until she was too ill to attend. The staff at these facilities were instrumental in their work with Tara to help her achieve things that most of us simply take for granted.

In 2016, following yet another of Tara’s many surgeries and needing more medical care, Tara became a resident of Circle of Care Skilled Nursing in Salem. There she was given loving care and the staff became her second family.

Tara’s favorite things were spending time outside, family time and listening to music. She was a “Country Girl” and Willy Nelson and Reba McEntire were her favorites. Everyone who knew her knew of her love of music, and it was not unusual for her to have her headphones on while being wheeled into surgery for one of her many operations.

Doctors, surgeons, nurses, caregivers and hospitals became a huge part of Tara’s life. Dr. William Kolozi and Dr. Jeffrey Cohen were part of her medical family and a tremendous source of support to Tara’s family. Many others, too numerous to name, used their skills and knowledge to give Tara the best life possible.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Tara and her parents certainly had a community of love and support. Tara had disabilities both physical and mental. Yet, she was able to teach all of us so much. She taught us how to be resilient and strong, how to never give up, how to appreciate all of our “abilities” and not to focus on our “disabilities.” Learning to accept differences brought lots of sunshine and love into the lives of those who knew Tara.

In addition to her parents, Tara is survived by her brother, Darren; Uncle Roger Hart and Gwen, Uncle Ron Doll and Deb Delesio, Aunt Virginia Doll; cousins, Kristin, Shane and Nathan; and step-grandfather, Larry Hanners.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Lester Hart and Mattie Hart Henners; and paternal grandparents, Clifford ” Tip” and Olive Doll.

The family will receive friends 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Cindy Figley officiating.

Burial will be in Glenview Cemetery, East Palestine.

A celebration of Tara’s Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine. Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com.

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