AURELIUS - Myrtle Doris Ayers, 81, of 78 Elmhurst Circle, Aurelius, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at home, with her loving daughter at her side.

She was born in Port Byron, the daughter of the late Robert and Bertha Wilson Withers, and had been an area resident for all of her life. Doris, as she was affectionately known, had been employed for several years at Howd's Nursing Home in Moravia. Prior to her retirement in 1994, Doris had been employed for many years as a nurse's aide at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Dawn Charles, and her husband, Lenny, of Auburn; three sons, Gary and his wife, Charlotte, of Pitcher, Dick and his wife, Marge, of Baldwinsville, and Ken Ayers of Clifton Springs; two sisters, Shirley Nark and her husband, Wallace, of Utica, and Mary Blaisdell and her husband, Albert, of Auburn; a brother, Jessie Withers and his wife, Nancy, of Port Byron; several grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Doris was predeceased by her husband, Paul, in 1995; and two brothers, Earle and Robert Withers.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. B. Scott Buell of the Church of the Nazarene officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Port Byron. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, April 23, at the funeral home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn.

Contributions may be made in Mrs. Ayers memory to Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, NY 13021; or to the Aurelius Fire Department, Auburn, NY 13021.