Obituary: Doris Lewis

Doris was a people person, who made the people she loved her first priority, and she loved many friends as well as family. Those of us still living can remember the first home she and Herb shared, while waiting for their house to be built in the forested hills of Manzanita, a house high on a hill which was blessed with a bird’s eye view of the ocean and perfect for whale watching. But before they moved into this lovely retreat, they lived in a small apartment on Cannon Beach in Manzanita. To this nest they welcomed a steady stream of friends and family who sought out time with this charismatic, happy,fun-loving couple. So numerous were the guests to their home that they had to set up a calendar and one had to book a reservation several months in advance. It was always worth the wait.

Herb and Doris were married for well over a year before they had a weekend entirely to themselves. We can still remember eating our breakfasts and dinners in shifts at their small kitchen table, while a feast was presented to us, one plate at a time, of some of the best home-cooked food we’ve ever eaten. Herb taught Doris how to cook, yes, he did. But no matter where she lived, as daughter, as roommate. as wife, as widow, her door was always open to expected — and sometimes unexpected — guests.

Of her hobbies, there were few as so much time was taken up with others. She played a little piano, was a book-loving and avid reader, and loved to bowl and play bridge back in the day when it was popular. She filled countless photo albums with the pictures taken over a 97 year lifetime of precious moments spent with family and friends, sharing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, sight-seeing and travel, lunches and church activities.

She has been a member of Hood River Valley Christian Church throughout her life, the church her parents raised her in. For many years she volunteered as a beautician at the Hood River Care Center Beauty Shop, receiving recognition in 1995 from Valley Christian for “exemplary Christian service to the community.” As a member of her church she had, throughout the years at one time and another, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was a faithful attendee of the weekly Women’s Bible Study, and has spent much volunteer activity in the church’s Thrift Shop until too ill to carry on. One friend wrote, “She is truly a Prayer Warrior, keeping track of many friends and relatives and remembering to pray for each of them and their families by name.” Doris never forgot anything important when it came to the lives of those she loved. Although frugal in her spending, she was generous to others with her time and gift-giving; she never forgot a birthday, graduation, wedding or Christmas.

In addition to her husband and parents, Doris was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Isabel Ann (Meyers) and Arthur Andrew Kirscht of Richardson, Texas; her brother and sister-in-law Marvin Blair “Cy” and Bonita Joan (Judd) Meyers of Winlock, Washington; and stepdaughter Marcia McGinnis-Kelliher of Portland.

She is survived by her nephews and nieces Andrew (Judy) Kirscht of Roselle, Illinois, David (Virginia)Meyers of Vancouver, Washington, Karen (Michael) Murray of Fairview, Texas, Lisa (Meyers) Stalnaker of Winlock, Washington, Jason Meyers of Henderson, Nevada, Alan (Wendy) Kirscht of Sherman, Texas, and Samuel (Eby) Meyers of Winlock; by great-nephews and nieces Jeremy and Matthew Kirscht, Christopher and James Kirscht, Rachel (Meyers) Blomgren and Marie Meyers, Kirsten Stalnaker, and John, Cy, and Rebecca Meyers; and many great-great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving stepdaughter Julie (Roger) Shiels of Portland; her step-grandsons Duncan Shiels of Aloha, Oregon, Jason (Jill) Shiels, and Ethan Shiels of Portland, Daniel (Cat) McGinnis of Albany, Oregon, and Ryan McGinnis of Vermont; and step-great-grandchildren Elliott McGinnis, and Jason, Olivia and Isabella Shiels.

Doris would often express how grateful and blessed she was to have the parents she did. Then she would look me in the eye and say emphatically, “And you were blessed, too, to have Elmer and Alma Meyers as your grandparents.” I would reply, “I know, Doris, I know! I miss them, too.” And now we must sadly bid farewell to this last living elder in our family who could link us to those who have gone before and tell us the old stories.

To all who knew Doris, this sometimes stubborn, always opinionated lady, who delighted in the company of those around her, who welcomed many into her life with a big smile and open arms, she will be greatly missed, too.

A memorial service will be held at Hood River Valley Christian Church on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. A reception at the church will follow. Interment will be at Idlewilde Cemetery in the afternoon. All arrangements are under direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center in Hood River.

The family would like to thank Rebecca Lee and all the caregivers and hospice workers at My Place to Call Home, and the many relatives, friends, and neighbors who assisted in Doris’ care through her final years. A special thank you to her cousins Mimi Williford and Joni Logan, daughters of Iris (Meyers) Lingren; and Linda Meyers, daughter of Herschel Meyers, for being there when needed most. Her family is grateful that she received the best of care and love from all.