Doris Kathryn Saylors LEACH

Passed away January 4, 2013, the day after her 85th birthday, surrounded by her loved ones in Windsor CA. Born and raised in Greenville SC, she reluctantly left the South, moving to California in 1962, as her family followed her husband Edward's US Navy career. As she told the story, she and her three daughters cried the entire drive across the US, until they reached Las Vegas, after which she decided "it wasn't going to be so bad after all. "Volunteering was always at the center of Doris's life. She served as a mentor to troubled teens, poll worker, church youth group and Girl Scout leader, Rose Lady at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, and Senior Advisor to the Windsor Town Council. She was the driving force behind the introduction of Bingo at the Windsor Senior Center. She earned her five gallon pin as a blood donor. A survivor of two types of breast cancer, she assisted other women on that path through a visitation program with the ACS. A proud Democrat, she supported her favorite candidates both locally and nationally. Doris loved and was active in her church, First Congregational UCC Santa Rosa and especially enjoyed greeting everyone with a warm smile and big hug. Friendliness and hospitality were her calling and she made and kept friends all around the world during travels with her husband. Whatever Doris did was accomplished with passion, especially her marriage to the love of her life, Edward Leach, who survives her. Married a month shy of 60 years, Doris died in the midst of writing her memoirs, through a course offered at SRJC. Her classmates titled her writings "The Love Story" as her story began the day she met Edward and followed them in their life together. Doris is also survived by three daughters, Jo (Dick) Allen of Greenville SC, Jean (John) Firth of Copperas Cove, TX, and Judy (Mark) Adams of Santa Rosa, CA. She had five adoring grandchildren, Edward (Summer) Firth, Michael Firth, Andy (Angie) Allen, and Lesley and Christopher Adams. Five great-grandchildren also blessed her life, Matthew, Alyssa, Kate, Molly, and Addison. A memorial service will be held on January 26 at 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational UCC, 2000 Humboldt Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, followed by a reception in Friendship Hall. Private inurnment will follow at Santa Rosa Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Congregational UCC Building Fund (address above) or charity of your choice. SANTA ROSA MORTUARY EGGEN AND LANCE CHAPEL 545-3747.