We Remember….
In honor of a long-time member who died in July, many members shared their memories.
Frank
Dear care-full friends, Long time RUC member and friend to many of us, Doris C. died yesterday, after these last years of decline, which took her away from beloved house I'll always picture her large smile, her love of her house and garden, her great appreciation and kindness.
Sharon
Mom and I had just come to RUC when Doris and Jean shared stories from their time in Kenya. I will never forget Doris's wide-eyed and gracious way of helping the rest of us share their experiences. I have always associated her with our mission commitments, packaged in her very gentle hospitality. I have missed her during the years that her health was failing. At least now she is at rest.
Emily
I have fond memories of Doris too. When I first came to RUC I was active on the Church in Society Committee and sometimes drove the dinner to Sophia House. Doris often cooked for RUC's meal and I remember loading her extraordinary baked chicken into my car, enjoying great smells all the way there, and wishing that I could stay and eat dinner with the ladies. She also had a great eye and artistic ability and I would always rush to get to RUC's Fall Bazaar so I could buy what Doris had contributed. We miss her presence at RUC.
Beth
I would like to add to what John and the others have said about her loveliness. After we came home from our Bonhill trip, she hosted the entire group at her home for dinner. I was with her when she bought her chintz tea pot in Scotland; she served tea from it that evening.
During her treatment for breast cancer, I visited her where we had tea out in her beautiful white and pink-blooming garden. She asked about my experience; I left her all my NIH & NCI publications on breast cancer. I came home, looked at our yard, and planted pink and white flowers. Since then, that has been the general color scheme of our garden, including light pink trellises.
John
I hope you are keeping a book on all the good memories we have. Beth and I have good memories of her during the RUC excursion to Scotland in 1994. Doris with her pleasant smile endeared herself so all of us, including our hosts from Bonhill.
I was even more impressed with payback she received in the second week and how she handled it. She'd run out of medication, was feeling bad and didn't want to show it. We were on the bus in a remote location when one of our hosts saw a clinic up ahead. We stopped and waited for our host to take her into the clinic. Within a few minutes they returned to the bus. She'd been given the medication for free and was feeling much better. Doris was back to her cheery self.
Susan
I remember Doris and Jean heading off to Kenya together and engaging us in mission work for the church they had visited there. Doris was a wonderful Sunday school teacher, and she was always ready to say yes when asked to teach (and I asked her a lot).
Ann
Doris was still active at RUC when I joined. She contributed her creations to the Fall Bazaar and her wreath hangs above my piano every Christmas. I also remember Doris being at Pecometh with Jean and Pat and listening to them talk while sitting on the dock. They were always a source of wise advice about kids in general, but teens in particular. Finally, I remember Doris's elegant sense of fashion and how wonderful she looked every Sunday. Oh--and her wonderful smile.
Beth F.
Doris was also a great Sunday school teacher and the person responsible for the Peace Pole--- and also a great women's breakfast hostess--- where we enjoyed a yummy breakfast in her garden.
Our family has many fond memories of Doris.
Jean
The first night in Kenya we were met at the airport at midnight by many Church members who were to house us for the night. Mostly gentleman. Off Doris went with several men to stay at their home. A picture I will always remember. We had such a wonderful education of the Kenyan people. The children flocked to Doris at every church we visited. She so loved children.
Sue
When I go overseas and see a Peace Pole, it gives me a feeling of how we at RUC unite with many around the world. Thanks Doris!