RICHMOND, Va. -- Margaret Doran, known by many in Richmond's Fan and Museum District as the Cat Lady, has died as a result of injuries she suffered on December 8, 2020.
Most days Doran, 77, would walk the streets of Richmond pushing a rolling walker and caring for colonies of feral cats, friend Sally Mullikin said.
On the night of December 8, a driver struck Doran at the intersection of North Robinson Street and Park Avenue, according to Richmond Police. Sarah Warner, a woman in her 20s, was charged with DUI, police added.
"She was a smart, friendly, caring person," Mullikin said of Doran. "The fact that she survived as long as she did [after the crash] shows you what a strong woman she really was. She had the will to live."
Mullikin said Doran lived the life of a street person but never wanted help from anyone unless that help aided the cats in her care.
"She would accept cat food and money to feed the cats," Mullikin recalled. "She was an amazing lady. I was just drawn to her."
Mullikin said Doran had no family in town. She said Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond was planning to hold a memorial for Doran in the future.
"She told me that she lived to feed the cats so much that when she was 'old' and confined to a bed that she wanted people to bring kittens to her to bottle feed and take care of," Mullikin said. "I miss Margaret."
