Doris M Ashby

1931 - 2023

Doris Ashby, 92 years young, passed away peacefully on Mother's Day, May 14, 2023, at home surrounded by love: her husband of nearly 70 years and her immediate family. Doris was a former resident of Cypress and San Diego, California. Doris was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Fred and Vera Kloske. She worked for 5 years as a billing clerk at Southern Bell Telephone Company in downtown St. Louis before marrying Paul Ashby in 1953 in St. Louis. They moved to California, settling in Cypress. Doris was a dedicated mother rearing her 3 daughters in a loving home. She served annually on the PTA and was a tireless fundraiser. She returned to the workforce first as a school librarian for the Cypress School District and then as a Teacher's Aide. Doris served as a Brownie Troop Leader and as a softball team chaperone and score keeper for many years. Both Doris and her husband were founding members of the Cypress High School Academic Boosters Club. Doris was an avid bowler who played in the Rossmoor Bowling League. She earned two 500-series patches during her league play. Her retirement years brought new experiences as a supporter of the Cypress Pops Orchestra and food delivery for the Cypress Meals on Wheel program. During this time, Doris and her husband relocated to San Diego. Doris was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Cypress) then later Christ the Cornerstone Lutheran Church (San Diego) where she tended the altar, taught Sunday School, participated in Bible Study and served as a Greeter. She believed strongly in the power of prayer. Her soft-spoken manner and thoughtful ways left an indelible impression of grace on everyone she met. A lifelong learner, she believed in the power of education and loved reading, values she instilled in her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed tending her garden, surrounded by nature's beauty. She is survived by her devoted husband Paul, her daughters and their spouses: Deborah and Timothy McNulty (Kahului, Hawaii), Susanne Ashby and Anita Kelly, Julie and Michael Umansky (San Diego, California). She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren: Caitlin McNulty, Brendan McNulty, Caden Umansky, El Umansky and Shane Umansky. Interment as well as a celebration of her life will be announced and held later this year for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or your local library.