Doreen Angela Fowler was a mother, wife, and scholar. She died on November 7, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Doreen was born January 14, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of John and Mildred Ferlaino and spent her childhood and adolescence in Brooklyn.
Professionally, Doreen was a writer and a professor. She had true gifts for writing and teaching, and those talents—coupled with a quiet tenacity and incredible work ethic—took her far. She graduated from Manhattanville College and then from Brown University with a doctorate in English. After graduating, she became a professor at the University of Memphis and then later went on to teach at the University of Mississippi and the University of Kansas. In addition to her teaching career, she was a Faulkner Scholar and wrote several books and academic articles on the literature of the American South.
Alongside her impressive professional career, Doreen will be remembered most for the great love and devotion she showed her family. In 1969, Doreen met her husband, Stephen C. Fowler, at a university mixer, and they married in 1972. Doreen and Stephen were together for more than 50 years, until Steve’s death in 2020. Their marriage was one to aspire to: a beautiful give and take, filled with deep love and mutual respect.
Doreen and Stephen shared one daughter, Carina, as well as a son-in-law, Alex Stucky, and a granddaughter, Harriet “Hattie” Stucky. In the last year and a half of Doreen’s life, she was unable to speak due to complications from dementia, but she was still able to communicate through writing on pieces of paper or a tablet. She frequently wrote, “I love Carina, Alex, and Hattie.”
Doreen is survived by her daughter (Carina), son-in-law (Alex), granddaughter (Hattie), her sister-in-law (Michelle Leonard), her brother (Frank Ferlaino), her sister and brother-in-law (Frank and Jane Giannattasio), and a niece and nephew (Lorien Leonard, Matthew Giannattasio).
A celebration of life will be held for Doreen on January 17, 2026 at 2 PM at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St, Lawrence, KS. The celebration is open to the public.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the University of Kansas Institute for Neurological Discoveries.
Dear Carina, your mother was a truly wonderful person. We’ve been good friends for over 30 years. She was a mentor to me when I was a young assistant professor, trying to establish myself as a Faulknerian. We became friends, and met regularly at conferences; the highlight of going to ALA for me was to spend time with Doreen. I’m going to miss her. I send you my deepest sympathy; it’s such a loss.
Dear Carina,
We were so sorry to hear about Doreen, whom we knew for many years (and before you were born!). She was a friend who, along with Steve, welcomed us to Oxford. We’ll miss her, and we extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Take care, David Galef and Beth Weinhouse
Doreen’s warmth, graciousness and intelligence made such a strong impression on my family. Sending so so much love
Hi Carina, this is Betsy from Bishop Seabury. I love the photo of your Mom. I always thought she was so beautiful! I just lost my Mama this year from Alzheimer’s, too. I know what hardships and grief you have gone through. If you ever need someone to share stories with, I am still at Seabury. Much love, Betsy