Birean Titus Cardner Doerfler

Birean Titus Cardner Doerfler, 77, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Duke Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  A native of Syracuse, NY, she was the daughter of the late Birn and Jean Cardner, and she was married for over 50 years to Donald Lee Doerfler, who survives.  

Birean was a teacher for many years in the public school system as well as for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, NY.  She was a prolific cake decorator and taught cake decorating at Alamance Community College for a period. Ever the entrepreneur, she created thousands of cakes for birthdays, weddings and special events in the area for decades, culminating in her opening a bakery, Just Desserts on Court Square in Graham, NC.  Birean was an award-winning painter in her younger days, and later in her life rediscovered her passion for painting and won several more awards. She was very proud of her membership and participation in the Girl Scouts of America since her teenage years.  

Birean is survived by her loving husband: Donald Doerfler; children: Alex Doerfler and wife, Elizabeth; Christopher Doerfler and partner, Alice Bruno; Allison Doerfler and husband, Chris Woolard; and Catherine Herzog and husband, Brandon; and grandchildren: Johanna Doerfler, Madeline Doerfler, Grayson Doerfler, Leo Doerfler, Harper Bruno, Sylvia Bruno, Levi Bruno, Ethan Herzog and Carter Herzog; sister: Christine Cardner as well as her niece: Jennifer Smith and partner, J.C. Reifenberg.  She was preceded in death by her parents: Birn and Jean Cardner.  

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington.  The funeral and burial will take place at River View Cemetery in Old Forge, NY, at a later time.