Doris Marjorie Bland

Doris Marjorie Bland, age 89, passed away on March 29, 2026, at home in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Born Doris Marjorie Simmons on August 10, 1936, in Rochester, New York, she was known for her love of life, good food, travel, and her devotion to her large family. She is survived by her husband, Richard, along with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Doris grew up in Rochester, New York, with her siblings Virginia and Robert. She attended Charlotte High School where she was a performing majorette and starred in theater productions. After graduating, she married Donald Van Zile in 1955, and they had 5 children: Marjorie Graham (Jeff Graham), Keith Van Zile, David Van Zile (Wendy Van Zile), Denise Guntek (Staz Guntek), and Jon Van Zile (Erika Flanigan).
The family moved to the Detroit area in 1968, where Doris launched a real estate career that would span 34 years. During her career, Doris was a part owner in multiple brokerages and sold properties throughout the greater Detroit area.
Doris was known for her enthusiasms and her many talents. An avid gardener and lifelong supporter of the arts, she loved to sing and served as a choir member and soloist at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She stayed active in community theater and volunteered at The Village Players in Birmingham, MI, where she put her sewing skills to work on costumes. She also volunteered as an usher at the Lyric Opera and Music Hall in Detroit.
In 2003, Doris married Richard Lewis Bland and became step-mother to Rich Bland (Jennifer Bland) and Joe Bland (Robert Lenahan). Together, they had 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
After Doris and Richard relocated to Beaufort, South Carolina, in 2008, she joined the choir at the historic Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort. As a cancer survivor, Doris was a founding member of the Dragon Boat Beaufort team, where she and her team paddled to raise funds for people undergoing cancer treatment and won several medals. She also joined the Palmetto Quilt Guild and Sea Island Quilters, where she made award-winning quilts and gifted many treasured quilts to her family.
Throughout her life, Doris drew strength from her deep Christian faith. She stayed an active member in her church and, in addition to singing in the choir, volunteered as a Stephen Minister at St. Helena’s.
Doris will be remembered by those who knew her for her abiding love of adventure, fine dining, and beautiful things. She often talked about her Atlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2, her trips to Europe’s grand capitals and riverboat cruises with her beloved husband Richard, her time in the Hawaiian Islands, and her time spent learning to cook haute cuisine in the French countryside. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, South Carolina at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 8th. Donations may be made to the
St. Helena Preservation Trust in lieu of flowers.