Doris Lucille Whisler

Doris Whisler Obituary

Whisler, Doris Lucille
Supported by the love of her children and grandchildren, Doris Lucille Whisler passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on December 11, 2013, at the Hospice of the Valley Gardiner Home in Phoenix. Doris was born in Calistoga, CA on September 21, 1922 and adopted as an infant by Lula and Axel Boyer. She grew up in Alameda, CA, graduated from Alameda High and attended Heald Business College. Doris met her husband of 63 years, Tom Whisler, at Christmastime in 1945. They married six months later and Doris worked while Tom finished college under the GI Bill. Then came children and a move to Phoenix in 1960 for Tom's work. Doris was very involved in her children's schooling and activities, and learned to play golf, a pastime she enjoyed into her 70s. Doris also volunteered at John C. Lincoln Hospital and was an active member of Orangewood Presbyterian Church and the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter AC Arizona. With her children grown, Doris went back to work for the AZ House of Representatives, culminating in her service as secretary for the Speaker of the House. Doris's greatest joy was her family - her children and grandchildren will always remember her sweetness, empathy and playful sense of humor. After losing her husband in 2009, Doris moved to the Beatitudes Retirement Community in Phoenix. Doris is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom and son Dan. She is survived by her son Tom Whisler, grandson Joe Whisler, granddaughter Samantha Louchios (Walter), great grandsons Jack and Oliver Louchios, and former daughter in law Sue Whisler; daughter Laurel Whisler; granddaughter Rhia Whisler Coady (Darryl), great grandson Colton Coady; and grandson Robby Whisler (Danielle). A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014, 2 p.m. at Orangewood Presbyterian Church, 7321 N. 10th St., Phoenix, AZ. Charitable contributions in Doris's memory can be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, www.peointernational.org/peo-foundation or to Hospice of the Valley www.hov.org/donate.

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Published by The Arizona Republic from Dec. 27 to Dec. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Doris Whisler

7 Entries

Samantha Horgen

January 9, 2014

As a co-worker of Laurel Whisler's, I never personally knew her mom, Doris, but reading this obituary and the sweet descriptions and comments about her listed in this guest book I feel like she was an amazing woman who is admired and who was warm and welcoming to all she interacted with. In reading some of these comments it is no surprise that Laurel has some of her mom's great qualities. I pray for comfort for Laurel and the rest of the family and friends during this difficult time. It is always difficult to lose someone wonderful in our life but great memories will stay with all of you so the memory of her will continue.

Leslie James

January 8, 2014

Laurel and family: Our thoughts are with all of you and we know that your mom and grandmother is at peace. We know that you all will find your inner strength during these times.

Your friends, Mick, Leslie, J.D. James (and the dog boys Wilson and Kroos)

Jackie Berrier-Miller

December 31, 2013

Tom, Sue and all the Whisler family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It sounds like your Mother was an amazing woman. I'm sure that you have tons of memories to look back on. May God bless you and give you strength during this time of loss.

Jo Anne Downey

December 29, 2013

Doris was the best neighbor, and a good friend. There wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for us. And vice-versa. Our kids thought of her as a grandmother, and would stop by to tell her about their day at school, and would be rewarded with a cookie. She never forgot a birthday, and my kids enjoyed picking out a new ornament for their Christmas tree, most every year.

They were the kind of next-door neighbors that one can only hope to have. And we treasured that. We've never had neighbors that could compare. Doris (and Tom) will never be forgotten.

Alice Thomson

December 29, 2013

In a room filled with Sisterly strangers, there was Doris. After just becoming a P.E.O., the sound of her distinctive, lyrical and serene voice was a great icebreaker.

Doris was the one who always had that gentle curiosity that assured others she was interested in them. She was genuinely excited about life's adventures and never let her quite serious arthritis stop her from the handiwork of love. She wrapped, she tapped, she baked, she served, she showed up with enthusiasm, contributed with eagerness and never let a soul down. She was a P.E.O. through and through exemplifying what it meant to be an Objects & Aims girl----especially showing us what it meant to have equipoise and symmetry of character.

She was my P.E.O. idol.

Everyone felt very welcome in her lovely home where she anticipated every guest and accommodated every tiny need. Her laughter came from the deep well of a contented life and she placed herself directly in line to be helpful and kind. Her family knows the blessing of such a woman and her friends felt warmed by her presence.

Late in her life, she made a family discovery and let us all in on the joy of that journey. Her eyes were always sparkling when she talked about family. And, her sense of humor stayed well intact, joking about everything from hair and closets to cars and even falls. She knew the joys of life.

I will never forget hearing the beautiful words she wrote that Laurel read to us at Mary Ann's years after Doris penned them. It was inspiring to hear how dearly she held her association with P.E.O. Not a surprise to any of us though that she would write something so full of love and life----that was just like her---her smiling, sparkling way coming through.

What a great person we have lost. What a never-to-be-forgotten and truly great life she lived.

Linda lSchreiner

December 28, 2013

My sympathy to Doris's family. Doris was my sister in P.E.O. and my sister in Christ, a fellow Orangewood Presbyterian Church member. I will miss Doris so much.
Linda Schreiner

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