Doris Ann Woods

Born on December 10, 1943, in Fresno, CA, Doris Proctor-Woods (nee Jonas) wasted no time making life interesting. Her childhood in Bridger, Montana, was a whirlwind of mischievous adventures shared with a lively crew of cousins — a training ground for a lifetime of spirited escapades.

In early adulthood, she packed up her charm and wit and moved to Denver, Colorado, to be near her brother and sister-in-law, Harvey and Pat Jonas. She met and married her first husband, Thomas Proctor, and through that union welcomed her daughters, Tamara and Nicole, beginning the adventure of motherhood—an adventure she excelled at and cherished deeply. That joy only grew as she became a grandmother and great grandmother, (Gi-Gi) to Frankie, Isabel, Mathias, Mattison, and Connor.

After 82 years of loving fiercely, laughing loudly, and proving that enthusiasm matters far more than skill when it comes to gardening, Doris peacefully took her leave on February 18, 2026, at home, after a long journey with dementia and a brief but brave run with pancreatic cancer.

She approached life the way she approached her flowerbeds — with optimism, determination, and a remarkable ability to coax beauty out of things that probably should not have survived. Many a plant lived a long and bewildered life under her care, but she never stopped trying, and that hopeful persistence became one of her greatest gifts to the people around her.

She adored her family, cherished her friends, and maintained a lifelong devotion to her cat, who is still deciding whether to mourn her or simply claim her favorite chair. She loved people, laughter, and any gathering that involved a good story. And she absolutely never passed up a donut. If there was a box in the room, she had already identified “the good one” before anyone else even noticed it was there.

One of her greatest joys was sharing life with her second husband, Richard Woods, who preceded her in death. Together, they were a force at local auctions — two treasure hunters armed with quick wits, sharp eyes, and a shared belief that there was always room for “just one more thing.” They brought home more curiosities, bargains, and “projects” than anyone could count, each one with a story they were delighted to tell. We take comfort in knowing that somewhere in heaven, the two of them have already found the celestial auction house and are happily bidding on items they absolutely do not need.

Even as dementia slowly dimmed parts of her world, her humor, tenderness, and unmistakable sparkle stayed with her. She continued to greet each day with the same gentle curiosity she brought to her garden — hopeful, patient, and always ready to bloom again, even when the odds weren’t in her favor.

She leaves behind a family who will miss her endlessly, laugh at her old jokes, tend her slightly chaotic flowerbeds, and carry her love forward in all the small, everyday ways she taught them.

Her life was a gift. Her memory is a blessing. And somewhere, she and her husband are reorganizing heaven’s garden, bidding on heavenly knickknacks, donut in hand, asking if anyone remembered to bring the butter.

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A memorial service will be held at Browns Cremation and Funeral Service, 904 North 7th St., Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, on 02/27/2026 at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at Warehouse 2565 Kitchen and Bar, 2565 American Way, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

Internment will be at Western Colorado Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at a later date.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Doris, please consider contributing to Hope West Hospice in Grand Junction, Colorado.