Doris Heringer Zagorda

Doris Heringer Zagorda loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed into the hands of God on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, while sitting in her chair watching TV with her favorite guy.

Doris was born on Oct. 29, 1923, in Billings, to Jacob and Nettie (MacDonald) Heringer. She spent a carefree childhood attending Garfield School and Fratt Memorial School. In 1941, she graduated from Billings Senior High School and went on to attend Billings Business College. She began working at Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co. as a long distance operator in 1942. She worked there ten years, making lifelong friendships with the "girls" who would eventually form Telephone Club. Doris continued to meet with them until six months ago, enjoying their long shared histories and mutual affection. In 1969, after being home to raise children, she returned to the workplace in cosmetics sales at Hart Albin Co. She worked 23 years, mainly at the West Park Plaza store, each day making women feel a little bit more beautiful.

On June 22, 1946 Doris married her high school sweetheart and one true love, Peter Zagorda. They made their home in Billings for 68 years, raising four children, Mary Kay, Tom, Patty and Jeanne. She relished her time as a mother and made her home one where you always felt welcome and were offered treats from her kitchen, a cup of coffee, or maybe a little glass of wine. There was no boundary on her hospitality and her innate ability to make everyone feel like family.

Doris was a charter member of St. Pius X Church. For 50 years she belonged to Catholic Daughters and the Council of Catholic Women. Her enduring faith brought her hope and peace of mind as she faced the joys and challenges of life. It remained a source of strength and consolation as she entered into the final stages of her life. She served her community through her work in Our Lady of Fatima Circle, St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary, Billings OptiMrs., and being "grandma" at the St. Francis Primary School in her daughter's Kindergarten classroom. She joined the Par 3 Senior Golf Association, serving as their treasurer when it was first formed, and delighted in her many years of playing in the women's league. While she never hit the ball too far, she always had fun and just liked "getting out!" Doris enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs. She played in the bridge marathon and treasured the time with her favorite partner, Gladys Orlando. She joined the Big Sky Red Hat Ladies and was the epitome of a Red Hat Lady, attending monthly outings and several Red Hat conventions with her Red Hat cohort, her sister-in-law, Jenny Simon.

For 68 years she loved her "Petie" and found great joy in sharing her life with him. He was her best friend and their enduring commitment to family gave to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the priceless gift of roots and unconditional love. Her home was always filled with the delicious smells of something wonderful on the stove. Her Italian dinners will live on vividly in the minds and hearts of all who were invited to sit at her table. She loved having large family dinners and gathering people together for a good time. She celebrated holidays with gusto, decorating weeks ahead of time. Doris treasured every moment of her life and greeted each day with expectation and enthusiasm. Even in the last few years when her physical ailments made getting around more difficult she was determined not to let it hold her back.

Doris is survived by her husband, Peter; her four children, Mary Kay Brown (Bob), Tom Zagorda (Sue), Patty Wilson (Bruce) and Jeanne Moller (Wayne); her grandchildren Gina Joyce (Kale), Nathan Brown, Joe Brown, Amanda Brown, Peter Zagorda (Krista), Angela McCormick (Jon), Jennifer Verhasselt (Ryan), Cole Moller, Todd Wilson (Laurie) and Chad Wilson (Ann); great-grandchildren Leah Brown, Nettie Joyce, Emily Joyce, Mia McCormick, Elyse Verhasselt, Ryly Verhasselt and Kaden Verhasselt. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jenny Simon; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tony and Lena O'Dea; and numerous nieces and nephews, the Sweeney Kids, the Fritizen Kids, Jim Heringer, the Simon Kids, the O'Dea Kids, the Kennedy kids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jack Heringer, and sisters, Marion Sweeney and Jean Fritizen.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, at St. Pius X Church with burial immediately following at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to: WestPark Residence Council Employee Fund, West Park Village Senior Residence, 2351 Solomon Ave., Billings, MT 59102.

"As long as one person remembers you – it isn't over." We will never forget you, Mom.

Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.