Dorothy “Doro” March Character Analysis in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

Doro is a Pittsburgh woman who hires Caroline to care for her elderly father Leo. Doro takes a chance on Caroline despite not having any references in support of her job application—when Caroline explains that she and her daughter are in a kind of hiding, Doro takes pity on Caroline and welcomes her into her family. Doro becomes a support system for Caroline and the two remain close friends—close, even, as sisters—even after Leo’s death.

Dorothy “Doro” March Character Timeline in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

The timeline below shows where the character Dorothy “Doro” March appears in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...only thing that helps loosen the mucus in her chest. The door swings open and Doro, Caroline’s friend and employer, walks in. She can’t sleep and is worried about Phoebe, but... (full context)

Eleven months ago, when Caroline arrived in Pittsburgh, Doro hired Caroline to be a private nurse for her elderly father Leo, who suffers from... (full context)

Now, as Phoebe finally falls asleep, Doro asks Caroline what’s wrong with the child. Though she’s almost a year, she can barely... (full context)

...for Leo, who speaks to her gruffly. Even though Leo gives Caroline a hard time, Doro has encouraged Caroline to stick up for herself and hold her own against the difficult... (full context)

...watches six-year-old Phoebe and her other disabled preschool classmates play together with jars of lentils. Doro is visiting, and comments on how alike Phoebe and Caroline’s hair is. Caroline is touched... (full context)

...the Board of Education could see Phoebe and her friends playing, learning, and flourishing together, Doro tells Caroline that she and the other Society members have a “good lawyer” and will... (full context)

...new car—Leo’s old Buick. Last year, Leo died, and Caroline offered to move out, but Doro encouraged her and Phoebe to stay as long as they wanted. As Phoebe enters the... (full context)

...their extended family are celebrating to day: Phoebe’s confirmation, Caroline and Al’s wedding anniversary, and Doro’s retirement—she is leaving soon to travel the world with her new beau Trace. In preparation... (full context)

...Caroline and asks if they can get one of their own. Caroline reminds Phoebe that Doro is allergic, and Phoebe’s mercurial temper threatens to explode. To calm her, Al suggests they... (full context)

The party lasts until late into the evening. As Doro and Caroline clean up the yard, Doro remarks that leaving is bittersweet—she’s going to miss... (full context)

After Doro and Trace leave, Caroline and Al sit together on the porch, and Caroline tells Al... (full context)